AMONG hugely varying reports of overnight weather patterns across Trinidad and Tobago, the Met Office reissued its yellow alert on Thursday.
This time it added a riverine alert, after reports of at least one river bursting its banks in places.
Individuals interviewed by Newsday said weather in their areas ranged from no activity to heavy rains and winds.
In Curepe no rain fell and there were no high winds nor anything adverse. Port of Spain had just a light drizzle but no high winds. Chaguanas experienced short periods of very heavy rainfall, on and off, for about an hour from about 9-10 pm.
"It was strong, short bursts of rain, but not persistent," one central Trinidad resident reported.
A Diego Martin resident said the wind had started picking up after 8 pm.
"The wind started beating and trees started breaking. We had a temporary power outage for about two hours but it came back at about 10 pm. We had a couple of downpours." He said very high winds blew off some sheets of galvanise from roofs and broke some trees on nearby hills.
A San Fernando resident reported, "The rain was consistent, with lulls in between, but not heavy. There were no strong winds nor thunder and lightning. There was no flooding as San Fernando is hilly, allowing a quick run-off of rainwater."
She had heard of heavy rain in deep south areas like Point Fortin, plus flooding in Penal and Claxton Bay.
The Met Office, in its 11 am update on Thursday, warned of a high chance of showers and thunderstorms until the evening, with floods and landslips likely.
It forecast: "Mostly cloudy with showers and the 70 per cent (high) chance of thunderstorm activity over varying areas. Gradual improvement likely during the evening/ night, becoming mostly settled despite few lingering showers and the 30 per cent (low) chance of the isolated thunderstorm. Adverse weather alert No 3 (yellow level) including riverine flood alert No 1 in effect!
The alert said, "Showers and thunderstorms continue to affect Trinidad and Tobago with most of the activity for today expected over marine areas.
"Some heavy overland showers favouring the afternoon period, can still lead to street and/or flash flood events and landslips. Localised flooding can be exacerbated."
The alert said a riverine flood alert was in effect for south Trinidad.
"Impacts can include reduced access to areas due to flooding, with some damage to property.
"Tree branches and loose objects can be displaced during strong winds. Flooding, landslips and waterlogged soils can lead to infrastructure damage in areas so prone."
The Met Office advised people to monitor weather conditions and updates from official sources, such as www.odpm.gov.tt.
"Avoid flooded areas and exercise precaution in areas with land slippage. Follow the instructions of government officials."
The Ministry of Rural Affairs and Local Government, in a river level advisory tweeted at 9.30 am on Thursday, noted that river levels were currently rising, given high tide due at 2.33 pm and low tide only due at 8
