Penal-Debe hurricane guide¶

The Penal/Debe Regional Corporation covers about 246 square kilometres of southern Trinidad. Its Disaster Management Unit (DMU) is the first responder for natural disasters, including flooding, and helps affected households afterwards. Six major rivers run through the region, including the Oropouche, Coora, and Papourie rivers.

Checked on October 3, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Disaster Management Unit. In a life threatening emergency, call 999 for police, 990 for fire, or 811 for an ambulance.

What to know in Penal-Debe¶

The corporation cleans and maintains minor watercourses. Major watercourses are maintained by the Ministry of Works and Transport Drainage Division.
In June 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government said sandbags were available for collection at every corporation's DMU. For Penal/Debe the pickup point was Hosein's Building, #218A SS Erin Road, Debe. Call the DMU to ask whether sandbags are available before a storm.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Disaster Management Unit hotline	800-7372	Also written 800-PDRC. For flooding and storm damage.
Disaster Management Unit office	868-647-2975	Also 868-647-0034, or 868-647-0961 extension 203. Email pdrcdmu@gmail.com.
Corporation main office	868-647-0961	218A S.S. Erin Road, Debe. Also 868-647-7012, 868-647-2092, and 868-647-3354. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Office line. Not for emergencies.

Official alerts and information¶

Penal/Debe Regional Corporation: The corporation's website, with public notices such as road closures. Website.
Penal/Debe Regional Corporation on Facebook: The corporation's Facebook page, linked from its official website. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Emergency shelters in Trinidad open only after the corporation's CEO issues an official activation order, and each building is inspected and stocked first. Do not go to a shelter until it is announced as open. The ministry's shelter map shows designated shelter locations for planning only, not shelters that are open now. Follow official announcements, or call the DMU hotline to ask which shelter is open.

Official list of open evacuation centers

After the storm: help for displaced residents¶

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Relief organizations¶

Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Disaster Management Unit: After a natural disaster such as a flood, the DMU gives immediate relief such as cleaning products, mattresses, and some food. It also assesses damage and sends the details to the Ministry of Social Development, which processes disaster grants. Phone: 868-647-2975. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 3, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.