Tropical Storm Bret pounds Trinidad

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Tropical Storm Bret delivered a direct hit to Trinidad and Tobago early Tuesday morning, leaving a trail of devastation behind.

Bret began pounding away at the small twin-island republic late Monday night, with the southern part of Trinidad being hardest hit.

According to the National Hurricane Center, maximum sustained winds neared 40mph, with higher gusts, at times.

Disaster response officials say crews will be out working to restore power on Tuesday, after the storm left many homes in the dark, some of them without roofs.

So far there haven’t been any reports of storm-related deaths. However, elderly patients at a psychiatric hospital narrowly escaped injury, after a tree came crashing through the roof, according to published reports.

Posts on social media showed widespread flooding on streets and even in homes. Some roads becoming impassable because of fallen trees and utility poles.

Up to early Tuesday, officials said all flights out of Trinidad and Tobago have either been “suspended or canceled.” However, the country’s two airports remained open with limited operations.

The storm hasn’t done the usually unreliable public transportation system any favors, as officials say there will be limited bus service on Tuesday, depending on whether roads are accessible.

Coming off a long weekend — Monday was Trinidad’s Labor Day holiday — students are getting an extra day off, as all public schools, as well as university campuses will be closed on Tuesday. Banks will also be closed. However, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said there was no need to close government offices.

The effects of the storm were also felt along the northeast coast of Venezuela and in some parts of Grenada.

Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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