Tropical Storm Tomas

TS Tomas (2010) Satellite Image

Trinidad and Tobago was officially placed under Tropical Storm Warning as TS Tomas gradually moved westwards over the Atlantic. I heard reports on the local radio stations that citizens rushed out to the nearest gas stations and groceries to stock up on supplies in preparedness for this storm. This is probably the second time in my lifetime that I've witnessed locals taking a Tropical Storm or even Hurricane seriously.

The first time, for me that is, was way way back with TS Bret (1993). I remember taping up all the windows, tying down everything outside, boxes of canned food and Crix in the bedroom in case for some reason we couldn't leave the room, then we waited. I stayed up all night with my dad waiting to hear or see some "action", some lightening and rain and maybe even some heavy rain. It did rain, but I've seen more rain than that on a regular afternoon in Trinidad, some wind but that was mostly it. Kind of disappointing for an 8 year old who's already watched too many Natural Disaster flicks.

TS Tomas has proved even more disappointing for Trinidadians in anticipation of some "action". We secured everything. I even brought the dog inside. Then sat at my laptop checking the satellite imagery every half hour. The system initially was right at our backs at 11 degrees N Long. and 54 degrees West Lat. at about 6:00p.m. yesterday and then by 7:00p.m. it begun to veer Northward. No rain, no wind, just stillness. It felt like the whole island just held it's breath for a few hours. Notifications came in about events being cancelled for this weekend, one promoter sent me an email saying the PM had shut down all events for the night and a friend joked with me about the Prime Minister cancelling parties. The ODPM still held its ground with its warnings of torrential rainfall and sever flooding and despite the lack of any physical signs of storm I kept thinking about how huge TS Tomas looked and that we Must get something from the feeder bands.

I finally went to sleep at about 2:00a.m. and all was quiet. I woke up this morning to clear blue skies and the sound of birds singing. We are still officially under a Storm Warning but I have my doubts about any part of Tomas affecting us again.

Despite my complaining about our lack of rain I am still thankful that we were spared. Currently Tomas is unleashing itself over Barbados and the local reports indicate it's bad.

Local reports as it happens from the citizens of each island can be found at the Caribbean Hurricane Network.

I hope the other islanders get through it safely.

Kai