TOBAGO – Tobago is operating under a State of Emergency according to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, as the island prepares for a direct hit from approaching category four hurricane, Beryl.

Speaking at a news conference a short while ago Augustine stated that as a result the island’s healthcare services have been limited to emergency care at the Roxborough and Scarborough Hospitals, while all schools will remain closed until further notice.

Elective surgeries scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled while health centres will remain closed. Those employed by the THA have also been asked to stay home with the exception of essential workers which include road maintenance workers, public health, CEPEP and URP workers, agricultural workers and property managers. Supermarkets and variety stores have been asked to remain open for at least three more hours today to ensure that members of the public in need of supplies can access them before the hurricane makes landfall.

Tobago’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Augustine said would be making use of the traditional radio systems at its shelters as well as Starlink services gifted to it by TTSalvage, the company contracted to remove the overturned Gulfstream vessel. Augustine asked residents to prepare themselves, with extra batteries, kerosene, canned foods and to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety over the course of the night.

“Now is a good time to keep those phones plugged in and charged up. Ensure you have excess or extra batteries for those torchlights, ensure the lamps have oil, and get kerosene in excess. If a category four hurricane hits here there is a possibility that we will go more than a couple hours without electricity,” he said.

He said cots, water and ready to eat meals were available at the available shelters, while the THA’s Division of Infrastructure had set up staging areas with equipment such as excavators, backhoes and equipment for speedy response. The EOC he said would be working 24/7 until the hurricane and its impact were behind the island. He however pleaded with those on the island to take all precautions while drawing reference to the impact of 1936 hurricane Flora. “It is critical that you do not waste this afternoon frolicking. Get your house in order,” he said. (Trinidadexpress)…[+]