Disasters in Trinidad and Tobago

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), a division of the Ministry of National Security, provides national coordination for disaster management in Trinidad and Tobago. It was established by Cabinet in January 2005 and works across the full cycle of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. ODPM coordinates warnings, plans, assistance and recovery but is not normally the primary first responder. Municipal corporations, their Disaster Management Units (DMUs), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and Global Medical Response Trinidad and Tobago provide first-response functions. Tobago uses the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) within the Tobago House of Assembly context. Trinidad's local system includes the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government Disaster Management Unit and 14 municipal corporations: Diego Martin, San Juan/Laventille, Arima, Tunapuna/Piarco, Port of Spain, Sangre Grande, Chaguanas, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Princes Town, Point Fortin, San Fernando, Penal/Debe and Siparia. Under the National Response Framework, a local incident or a limited Tobago area is handled at local level. When two or more corporations are affected or local resources are exhausted, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) can operate partially with Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). A large event that overwhelms national capacity activates the NEOC fully on a 24-hour basis. Regional support from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) can be requested when national resources are exhausted. The country's hazard profile includes riverine, coastal, flash and urban flooding; tropical waves, storms, hurricanes and storm surge; landslides; earthquakes; tsunamis; drought and water shortages; bushfires and wildfires. Hazardous-material spills, oil spills and radiation emergencies are also locally relevant because of industrial and oil-and-gas infrastructure. Heavy rain, flooding, landslides, thunderstorms and storms, drought and bushfires have recurring practical relevance. Earthquakes and tsunamis occur less often but can have severe consequences, while industrial incidents can create high local risks. Hazards can combine, such as heavy rain causing flooding and landslides, an earthquake triggering a landslide or tsunami, coastal events causing coastal flooding, or dry conditions increasing bushfire risk. A household should prepare a family emergency plan with a communication plan, meeting place, arrangements for special needs and pets, and a safe room. Keep supplies for at least 72 hours; some guidance recommends preparing for three to seven days. Supplies should include water, non-perishable food, medicines, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a radio, spare batteries, cash and sturdy shoes. Flood-prone households can use sandbags, raise belongings, protect documents in waterproof storage and keep gutters and drainage clear. Storm preparations include securing loose objects, protecting the roof and openings, and keeping at least half a tank of fuel. During drought or water shortages, store at least three days of water and follow water restrictions. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programmes, volunteers and community outreach provide additional preparedness channels. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) issues official weather forecasts and warnings. A Tropical Storm Watch indicates that tropical-storm conditions may occur within 48 hours; a Tropical Storm Warning indicates expected winds of 63 to 118 kilometres per hour within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch indicates that hurricane conditions may occur within 48 hours, while a Hurricane Warning indicates expected hurricane conditions within 36 hours, including winds of at least 119 kilometres per hour or dangerous water conditions. Check TTMS, ODPM and TEMA channels rather than unverified messages. The Public Alert Notification System (PANS), delivered through the Everbridge app, provides official alerts. Tobago also has four solar-powered multi-hazard early-warning systems at high-risk locations, tested on the first Thursday of each month. Community Flood Early Warning Systems provide additional local flood information. A tsunami requires immediate self-evacuation after a strong earthquake, a rapid withdrawal of the sea or a loud ocean roar. Move inland or to higher ground without waiting for an official warning, and return only after authorities declare the area safe. During an active flood, do not drive through or walk into floodwater. During a storm, remain indoors or in the safe room. Keep away from landslide areas and report damaged electricity, gas or water lines to the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, the relevant municipality or the utility provider. For immediate emergencies, call 999 for the police, 990 for the Fire Service and 811 for Global Medical Response Trinidad and Tobago. Call 511 for ODPM information and 211 for Tobago Emergency Relief. On Trinidad, contact the responsible municipal DMU as soon as the immediate danger is addressed; in Tobago, contact TEMA. Municipal governments decide whether a community evacuation is needed. Trinidad shelters are managed through the relevant municipal corporation or DMU, while Tobago shelters are managed through TEMA. A shelter opens only after an official activation by the chief executive officer of the responsible municipality, followed by shelter-management notification, building checks and arrangements for bedding, food, water, first aid, opening and registration. Staying with relatives or friends, or using a hotel, can provide an alternative; a public shelter is temporary accommodation. ODPM guidance does not generally accommodate pets inside shelters, so separate arrangements are needed. Local DMUs normally assess damage first. Municipal corporations and the Ministry of Social Development may provide specific relief items, while the Social Development Ministry assesses eligibility for financial assistance or social grants. Assistance is not an automatic nationwide payment, and there is no general flat disaster payment. Timing depends on the event, damage assessment and individual eligibility. ODPM can coordinate additional assistance after local resources are exhausted, using the NEOC and ESFs when needed. Recovery prioritizes lives, temporary shelter, water, utilities, access roads and critical facilities. The duration of restoration and rebuilding depends on the event and has no single nationwide deadline. The Disasters Measures Act, Chapter 16:50, Act 47 of 1978, allows the President to proclaim a disaster area. Orders and directions made under the Act can control communications and transport, food, water, fuel and power, access to buildings, possession or use of property, and entry into or departure from an area or Trinidad and Tobago. Violating or obstructing such measures can result in a fine of TT$5,000 and imprisonment for two years. Lawful measures can attract public compensation. ODPM has described the Act as outdated and has documented a need for reform and updated policy. Critical infrastructure protection includes roads, bridges, drainage, electricity, water, telecommunications, shelters, critical facilities and oil-and-gas or other industrial sites. ODPM policy supports early-warning systems, risk-based land-use planning and compulsory building-code compliance. Tobago planning also considers shelter availability, evacuation arrangements and assembly points. Health, crime and nature may affect disaster consequences, but they are separate subjects unless they directly explain a disaster trigger, response need or boundary.