T&T residents: Worst floods we have ever witnessed

(Trinidad Express) “This is the worst we have seen.” These words seemed to echo throughout several areas in South Trinidad on Monday as homeowners and business owners tried to deal with the devastation in the wake of heavy showers.

The losses have already been estimated to be in the millions as appliances, furniture, vehicles and livestock were ruined or washed away.

Areas affected included Tarouba, Gasparillo, Claxton Bay, Cocoyea Village, Marabella, Couva, Freeport, Carapichaima and Chaguanas. Desmond Lord, a 50-year-old Gasparillo resident who was attempting to clear some debris near a bridge, was swept away by the swirling waters.

Lord managed to make his way to a river bank and pulled himself out. He told the Express it was his ability to swim which saved him from panicking and drowning. However, while thankful to be alive, Lord lost his humble home which was washed away into the river.

Alicia Spencer, of Charles Street, Gasparillo described the scene as a disaster.

“I have witnessed flooding in the 30 years I have been living here but this has created history,” Spencer said.

“Neighbours who have never been flooded before are now under as much as five feet of water.”

Clinton Phillip, owner of ‘C Phillips Pub’ located along Bonne Aventure Road, Gasparillo struggled to maintain his composure as he looked on at the rising waters which engulfed his businessplace.

Phillip said residents in the area experienced flooding on May 26, when Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was sworn into office. “That flood was joke compared to this one,” he said.