Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s planned return to T&T today has been delayed by Hurricane Irma which rampaged through Florida between yesterday and early this morning.
Dr Rowley, who was due to return home via Miami, will now return tomorrow via New York, the Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed.
He had gone to the United States for a medical check-up on September 1 and the OPM said he had completed his medical examinations and was returning home.
“His return is being diverted due to Hurricane Irma. Dr Rowley will now return to T&T early Tuesday morning via a Caribbean Airlines flight through New York,” an OPM release stated
All transport to Florida has been suspended since the weekend due to the hurricane. Winds of 95 mph were reported at Miami International Airport at the peak of Irma’s passage through that city yesterday.
Miami, which dodged an initially-projected direct hit, still sustained a severe battering from winds, rains and storm surges.
US television footage showed three foot high flood waters from nearby Biscayne Bay storm surges flowing through Miami’s Brickell Avenue, including property at 999 Brickell. The next property, 1000 Brickell Avenue, houses T&T’s Miami consulate.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Stuart Young said: “I had given instructions on Wednesday to evacuate the consulate. Employees number about 10 people and their families. “
Also affected by Irma was the wife of the President, Reema Carmona, who had been scheduled to return from Belize late last week via Miami. She was able to return home last Saturday via another route.
T&T national Anton Boodan, who has lived for 12 years in Clearwater, 20 miles from Tampa, said the shift of storm direction caught some Trinis in the area by surprise.
Boodan, whose home borders areas which were evacuated, said: “By the time I got to the store to buy materials to board up my house, there wasn’t a screw or a piece of plywood left.”
UNC MP Barry Padarath, who has been in Broward County since last week, described the situation as very grim.
“Many families, I spoke to are concerned and uncertain what life will be like post-hurricane as they left everything behind in evacuating,” he said.
Padarath, who said some Trinis had been advertising hurricane parties and limes, said he was trying to get a flight home.
