A Boxing Day freak storm roared through the Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara community leaving behind a trail of devastation and villagers counting their losses. The storm, which occurred just around noon, ripped through the community tearing roofs off buildings, injuring two persons, including a pensioner, and caused damage to a motor vehicle.
Described as “circle breeze” by locals, several residents including some with young children, were left traumatised and without a roof over their heads for the past two days. They explained that with the roofs off their homes, the accompanying heavy downpour damaged their food supplies, electronic appliances and even furniture. “We couldn’t sleep in our beds last night (Monday) the mattress was soaked and the beds loose up. It caught us by surprise and we lost a lot,” Samantha Prince a businesswoman who is one of the three families affected by the storm.
As of yesterday the Civil Defence Commission, the Regional Democratic Council and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council all visited to conduct an assessment of the damages. Regional Chairman, Ayube Inshan, explained that he and other regional representatives visited the affected families and donated food hampers. He said the roof of three homes were completely ripped off by the heavy winds and one was partially damaged. By his estimation approximately 18-20 persons are affected. He stated that the affected individuals had to create makeshift tents to sleep under on Monday night. Chairman of the Goed Intent/ Patentia NDC Mark Khan related that when he visited the community after the storm it was heart breaking to witness the losses residents suffered.
He stated that they did a preliminary assessment and worked to mobilise assistance for the affected families. He noted that an individual assisted with zinc sheets for the homes but they are awaiting the CDC to determine the extent of the structural damages and make a decision on the level of assistance that will be given to the affected families. Recounting the ordeal, a resident, Amanda Boson said the rains started off as drizzles but seconds later morphed into a heavy downpour followed by strong winds. She stated that in the mix there was thunder. “I hear this noise like when empty plastic bag flying with wind and I look and see my neighbour’s roof flying in the air,” she said as she stated that it was not a sight she expected. Prince while speaking with Stabroek News via phone yesterday emphasized they need support to rebuild.
She noted that as the main breadwinner for her family, items in her grocery shop were completely destroyed. “Everything… everything lost in the shop and I stock up for the holidays now all gone down the drain. I don’t have the money to re-invest in stocking back the shop,” she lamented. She further stated that they are willing to accept any assistance from the public to aid in rebuilding their homes and livelihood. Recalling her experience, Prince said that she was in the shop lying in her hammock when the rains came. “…next thing I saw the roof start moving but I say is just a hard breeze passing through before I know it I feel I up in the air with the hammock. The hammock tie on the rafter of the zinc and I up in the air, I barely grab on to fridge to pull myself down. All I could ah do was throw myself out the hammock and I fall on the ground hit my side…” she repeated.
She said she immediately called her 71-year-old mother but before she realized it, a wood fell from the house hitting her on the head and resulting in her losing consciousness for a few seconds. “Before we knew it all the zinc and rafter get ripped off the roof and my brother car got damaged with wood that was flying around… we couldn’t have done nothing else,” the woman recalled as she explained it was a scary ordeal. She went on to state that on Monday night her family was forced to split up. Her mother who received injuries and medical attention had to find shelter at a sister’s home while the others tried to sleep in dry parts of the home. Her brothers, she said slept in the car after putting tarpaulin to covered the damage part.
The two other families affected are also pleading for assistances from the public as they took aim to rebuild. Persons desirous of assisting Prince can contact her on 6483142.
