Additional Defence Force personnel have been deployed to Tobago to assist operations in anticipation of the passage of category four Hurricane Beryl. Forecasters have warned that Beryl is expected to remain an “extremely dangerous” storm when it hits the southeast Caribbean, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge to the Windward Islands.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for several islands including Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds confirmed that all security forces are on high alert and mobilized on both islands. The Chief of Defence Staff has agreed to provide additional Defence Force personnel from Trinidad to Tobago.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister Hinds also mentioned that the Fire Services have assembled search and rescue teams for both islands. Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi stated that shelters in Trinidad have been activated at various regional corporation bodies. Sandbag distribution and free parking locations have been organized in Trinidad to deal with potential issues from the storm.
Additionally, all schools in Trinidad will remain closed, and the private sector is urged to coordinate staff prudently. Chief Justice Ivor Archie informed Judiciary staff that courts in Trinidad will operate with a skeleton staff in-person, supported by remote operations, and in-person trials will be rescheduled.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that border agencies have been mobilized to ensure the safe passage of marine vessels seeking shelter in Trinidad and Tobago. Customs fees have been temporarily waived, and changes have been made to inter-island sailing schedules with cancellations for passenger ferries and cargo vessels.
Caribbean Airlines has also adjusted its flight schedules, canceling all regional and domestic flights on July 1. Customers have been granted a waiver for rebooked tickets up to July 28. The TT Meteorological Service upgraded the hurricane warning for Tobago to red level and Trinidad to an orange-level tropical storm watch. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
