Large numbers of T&T-born residents in Miami and surrounding South Florida areas have evacuated away from the path of Hurricane Irma, which is expected to hit the Florida peninsula between tonight and tomorrow (Sunday).
And T&T-born residents in other areas away from the hurricane's path are also under pressure in preparation for the fall-out.
After ploughing through the Caribbean - killing 14 - Irma was downgraded yesterday from Category Five Category Four (Very Dangerous) status.
En route over Cuba and the Bahamas, Irma was heading for the Florida peninsula with Miami in its direct path. US authorities urged coastal residents particularly to evacuate to avoid deaths.
Among T&T-born residents evacuating from Miami was the family of Irwin Alexander who've lived in the US for over 40 years.
"Properties built as far back as 1982 may be challenged by a Category Five hurricane, even though they may have been upgraded following Hurricane Andrew years ago. Irma is described as being worse than Andrew. Some of the family is already at another location with concrete structure and steel roof," Alexander told the T&T Guardian.
As he spoke, Alexander was completing two days of hurricane preparations: erecting storm shutters, reinforcing fencing and glass fittings. He was packed, readying to leave Miami before midday yesterday.
"Neighbours have left also. Getting out of Miami, however, is the other problem. It usually takes an hour from Miami to West Palm Beach. Yesterday it took me four hours. Today it'll take about eight."
President of the T&T/Florida Diaspora Association Karim Abdul, who lives at Del Ray Beach, said, "At least 1,000 Trinis who live in areas along Irma's path have already left or are leaving. Most are going to Tampa, Orlando or even New York. At this point - around 11 am - the weather is calm, cool and sunny. But we're waiting."
The association was founded in 2007 and is open to the 40,000 Trini-born people who live in Florida. There are 30,000 in South Florida alone, he added. The heaviest T&T concentrations are in Miami (Broward), West Palm Beach, Port St Lucie, Tampa and Orlando.
"People have boarded up and bought supplies - and yes, there's fear. The one good thing, Florida has an excellent system for these things. All we can do is to put up our shutters and lay in supplies for a week - the real issue is after the storm."
Abdul, formerly of South Trinidad, has lived in Florida for 30 years and is retired. He added, "My kids came from Boynton Beach and helped put up my storm windows. My Haitian neighbours gassed up my car for me. Tomorrow (today), I'm going to my kids' place to ride out the storm."
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said staff of T&T's Miami consulate was evacuated already.
Trinis outside Miami are also under siege. Pamela Sobit's family in Tamarac - near Fort Lauderdale - weren't asked to evacuate like residents further south.
"But the storm is so powerful and large it's expected to encompass the whole of Florida so many shelters are opening up all the time," Sobit said.
"We've pulled out our shutters and a lot of people have boarded up with ply board. People are helping each other secure homes. Shelves in all the stores have been cleaned out as we and others prepare to weather this storm. Many gas stations are running out of gas and those who have, the lines are miles long. "
She added, "It will be a rough weekend for Floridians. Please keep us in prayer as we wait out this long, dangerous storm."