2010 Hurricane Season

[Roger D.]

When I was a little pup in Trinidad, we got hit by T.S. Alma in 1974 or '75, from what I remember, it was bad but fascinating at the same time. I saw a neighbours roof blow off. I beleive that was the last time a storm has directly hit Trinidad.

[Paul Tallet]

HURRICANE TOMAS

I thought it would be explosive ... and it was.

Tomas is already a hurricane, I am seeing reports of widespread damage in Barbados and now St Lucia is next for an encounter with the centre of Tomas.

Remarkably, Trinidad has had very little from Tomas but Tobago appears to have had some steady rains.

Watch for the 'sting in the tail' ... there are still bursts of convection wrapping around the centre of Tomas so keep alert until Tomas is about 10 hours past you.

It's Hispaniola next by which time Tomas could be a major hurricane.

Regards

[Patrick Dankou]

Surprisingly we had only a slight drizzle and little wind here in Pleasant Prospect so far, nothing to talk about...
some people have accused the authorities of spreading panic. A couple of ferry sailings have been canceled and business were advised to send employees home around 1 pm yesterday. All schools were closed early as well. This created chaos and traffic jams in Trinidad and Tobago alike.
I had to switch my cell phone to silent because we were bombarded with warning text messages from the THA and the phone company,Paul do you think this was justified?

[Paul Tallet]

Definitely Patrick ... definitely justified, albeit rather late if anything!!

This was a danger because it was a fresh developing Storm with a target zone from northern Venezuela to St Lucia ... young Storms are very unpredictable in terms of their track and how quickly they can develop ... no one can get the forecasts absolutely right with these situations and therefore it is quite right that such precautions were taken.

Another thing ... a Storm of this type has never developed at this time of year at such a low latitude ... the forecasters were dealing with unknowns.

Quite right to post warnings across a wide area rather than speculate ... it saves lives.

It was fortunate that Tobago avoided this and unfortunate that Barbados took the brunt ... St Lucia next and St Lucia is now going to be better prepared now the forecasters have a better handle of this Storm.

Regards

[Paul Tallet]

TOMAS UPDATE

We now have the 'sting in the tail' that I have warned about.

Very intense rainfall is developing less than 100 miles east of Tobago as part of the overall Tomas system.

This rainfall could affect Tobago ... I know that not much has happened yet but you are not out of it yet ... stay prepared please.

Regards

[Paul Tallet]

[b]RAIN[b]

I know that Tomas has business elsewhere but his tail has some very intense rainfall which looks likely to affect Tobago now.

Please don't think this is over yet ... remember the 'sting in the tail'.

Regards

[Andy K]

So far no rainfall in Tobago, but lightning is already reported visible from South Trinidad.
I better leave my windows closed tonight.

Some damage reports are coming in on shortwave radio from St. Lucia and St.Vincent.

In St. Vincent the inter island ferry M/V "Stingray" ran aground, but the crew is fine.
Several roofs have been blown off and electricity is disrupted.

In St. Lucia several roads are blocked by fallen trees.
The roof of a hospital has been blown off.

In Barbados electricity has been partly restored.

[Paul Tallet]

Andy ... if you have internet access right now ... check the satloops.

There is heavy rain starting over Tobago as I type. It could reach Trinidad too.

Tomas maybe elsewhere ... but Tobago's problems are not over yet.

Stay safe and be prepared ... and let me go to bed please ... I have lost alot of sleep over this system

Regards

[Paul Tallet]

TOMAS UPDATE

Heavy rain is still falling over Tobago from the tail of Tomas. Conditions should improve later today but there is plenty of moisture around.

Tomas has now moved out into the Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen to a major hurricane (Cat 3 or 4).

There is still some uncertainty about his future track but, for now, it seems that Haiti could be at risk.

Regards

[Paul Tallet]

TOMAS UPDATE ... TOBAGO GETTING HEAVY RAIN

According to the sat loops, Tobago has been under intense rainfall now for at least 9 hours. Trinidad is also affected.

This looks set to continue for a few more hours before conditions improve.

This rainfall is in addition to the rain that fell early yesterday and from Tomas as he moved to the north of Tobago.

I trust all is well and would appreciate some feedback on the conditions.

Regards

[Patrick Dankou]

Hello Paul,
You were right...as usual, plenty rain, thunder and lightning and electricity coming and going....this amount of downpour will definitely cause some landslides on the island. It looks like this system is not moving much at the moment...

[Paul Tallet]

Thanks Patrick

The rain intensity over Tobago looks worse than the cloud tops around Tomas' centre.

A layman would probably think Tomas is over Tobago by the look of the satloops.

I hope everyone is OK.

Regards

[Hugh S]

Relatives just sent a cell phone video of flooding in Bon Accord this morning, heavy rain falling. Water up to but not inside house.

Hugh

[Paul Tallet]

TOMAS UPDATE

Tomas is now weakening and may not be a Hurricane by tomorrow as he encounters a less friendly environment but there are prospects of Tomas re-strengthening in a couple of days.

The Hurricane has left a trail of damage in Barbados and, in particular, St Lucia which took the brunt of the Storm.

It is much calmer in Tobago now.

Regards

[Andy K]

Heavy rains and thunderstorms subsided by 3 pm today.

I have never seen so much rain within 14 hours.
Spent several hours on generator power, and discovered a small leak in the roof, but other than that,
up here on the hill it was safe, as the water followed gravity
In Trinidad only the north-eastern corner of the island got some impact inclusive of land slides.

St. Lucia and St. Vincent don't have so much fun though ...

[Paul Tallet]

TOMAS UPDATE

This is strange ... Tomas has been losing strength as dry air is pumped into his centre and this has pushed all the thunderstorm activty miles away to the south east of the centre ... this area of bad weather is now affecting the Dutch Antilles, Marguerita and getting uncomfortably close to Trinidad.

Meanwhile, back at the centre of Tomas, there have been some renewed bursts of convection and it is possible that Tomas could regain hurricane status in 2 or 3 days ... it is not yet certain where Tomas will go, Haiti or Jamaica and the computer models are wide open on this.

Another Tropical Wave is moving in from the East and this could bring some more unwelcome rain to Tobago by Wednesday.

Regards

[Christine Nelson]

Hi Paul
Just returned from Cuba 14/10 to 30/10 weather was good a few spells of heavy rain but mostly night time and didnt last long.Its a really great place to go but to many mosquito.
Back to Tobago for Dec so weather should be better for then fingers crossed.

Regards Chris.

[Paul Tallet]

What?

You are going to Tobago in December after just being to Cuba?

Grrrrrrr !!

Regards

[Christine Nelson]

Yes always go to Tobago in Dec for nearly 6mths and come back in May.
I went to Cuba for my sons wedding dont usually go twice. LOL

[Paul Tallet]

That is utterly disgraceful and I hope you are suitably ashamed of yourself ... I hope to be there in March for a meagre 2 or 3 weeks and 'Having a word with you' has now been raised to my top 10 list of things to do, places to go and people to upset.

Enjoy life while you can

Regards