Trinidad is today experiencing adverse weather conditions and an alert has been issued.
A notice on the Facebook Page of the Trinidad Express noted that a yellow alert has been issued.
The alert advised that street/flash flooding and localised ponding were likely in heavy downpours.
Pictures and videos on the website of the Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre also showed flooding is some areas today.
Additionally, houses were damaged when a tornado struck on Monday, August 16.
“Trinidad has been hit by a tornado yet again, marking the fifth in the last three years. Multiple homes, structures, and vehicles are damaged in the agricultural community of Los Iros in South Trinidad. There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities,” the Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre posted on its website.
“Though conditions remained mostly hot and sunny across the country, an isolated severe thunderstorm developed across extreme southwestern Trinidad at approximately 2:30 p.m., with tornado touchdown estimated at approximately 2:50 p.m. on August 6, 2021.”
Shortly after 3 p.m., damage reports were received by the Siparia Regional Corporation’s Disaster Management Unit, Dana O’Neil-Gervais, Councilor for Palo Seco, which covers a portion of Los Iros and other relevant response agencies.
The Weather Centre said that tornado formation is not completely understood and there are two main ways a tornado may form.
“In the case of the 2021 Los Iros Tornado, the below mechanism is the likely explanation for how this tornado formed.
“Firstly, a horizontal spinning effect must form on the Earth’s surface. This usually originates in sudden changes in wind direction or speed, known as wind shear. “Secondly, a thundercloud, or occasionally a cumulus cloud, must be present.
(Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre)