Water, water, everywhere....

Imagine waking up one morning, thinking it would be a regular day. You get your children ready for school, send them to school, and then you go to work, expecting that you will pick up your children from school and head home, make them dinner, and then spend some family time together because it is Friday and you don't have to get up early to go to work the next day. You have no idea that by the end of the day, you would be fighting to keep your head above flood waters while you watch everything that you worked so hard to obtain get washed away. This was the sad reality for hundreds if not thousands of persons in Trinidad and Tobago on October 19th 2018.

Aerial view of one of the many communities inundated by
flood waters

Since Wednesday 17th October Trinidad had been experiencing consistent, heavy rainfall. The appropriate agencies sent out warnings about possible flooding in areas so prone. The rains continued throughout Thursday and into Friday, but no one expected what happened next. The rivers could no longer contain the volume water that was flowing into so they overflowed their banks, causing rapid, devastating flooding in the surrounding communities. My friend Naomi was at her cousin Karina's house in St. Helena and sent out a plea for help at 8:45pm on Friday night. They spent the entire night there until they were rescued at 1:47pm the following day. This was her account of what transpired:

The flooding begins

"My cousin's home is about 3 feet higher than ground level so when water started gushing in from every available and created space (entry doors, foundation and through the garage doors) we were coloured stupidly shocked. Everything happened so fast after that. It's like we were living in slow motion, in fast forward. Before we understood what was happening, we were mid-thigh deep in a mixture of water, oil, and sewage.

Karina's leg covered with oil from the flood waters

"Our only thought was to preserve life. It is a blessed relief that my cousin in law went against my cousin's wishes and built a little (8*4) balcony about 8 feet off the ground because 8 of us scrambled up there and huddled wet, cold, tired, and denying what was happening for the next 16 hours. One by one our phones discharged as we called every single team or office who could possibly assist the 8 of us. (1 senior, 4 adults, 4 year old twins, our nine year old trooper, suicidal dog and three cats) We were helpless and could do nothing but wait for rescue and trust that God still had our present and future safe and secure.

This tractor came to rescue their neighbours

"As the water rose to our necks, our emotions retired and we just looked on as this tragedy unfolded. The army eventually rescued us with a boat because the trucks in the yard were now underwater obstacles. I'm writing this after having scrubbed away the grime in a hot bath and after having dinner a poop and a nap. We are snuggled safely in bed by our Aunty/Mommy while many people are still stranded on the roof or are bedding down at a relief centre somewhere, hoping to wake up from this nightmare. 

Family in another part of Trinidad who spent their night on the roof

"Thank you thank you thank you to all of you who tried so hard to get us help, for praying, for watching and waiting, for your support. [My cousin and her family] have lost every material thing. Cars are under water. All the tools and equipment for their individual businesses are gone, every single thing in the house gone. The floor boards were also swimming away with my cousin's favourite pair of pants. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that we are alive but the loss is also overwhelming. If you would like to help with clean up efforts by donating cleaning supplies or manpower please let me know and I'll keep you updated as we chart a way forward through this.

Naomi and her cousin's family finally being taken to safety

There are so many families who have similar stories. In the case of this family, Reaaz is a mechanic while his wife Karina is a cake decorator. They have lost all the tools necessary for them to earn an income. They along with their three children - Kate-lee, Kimberly and Rebeeca - are left with only the clothes on their backs. They would need as much support as possible to get back on their feet. If anyone would like to assist them in any way, please let me know.

We thank God for the reduction in rainfall, which is forecast to continue until next week Tuesday. Please continue to pray for those still stranded in their homes, that the flood waters would subside to allow for rescue and clean up operations to continue, and for relief supplies to reach to those most in need.

Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.