In the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating passage, thousands of families are struggling to rebuild their lives amidst the widespread destruction left behind.
One such family, the Ritchie’s of Top Hill in South St. Elizabeth say they have lost everything as Beryl barrelled through the parish.
The infrastructural damage was made clear in the southern region of the country after our news team toured several communities over the weekend.
As Robian Williams tells us, residents of Top Hill say Beryl was the worst hurricane they’ve ever encountered.
That was Lindsay Ritchie, who has lived in Top Hill, South St. Elizabeth, for more than 50-years, recalling how the gusty winds associated with Hurricane Beryl blew off parts of his roof.
It was the tarpaulin that he used as a makeshift roof that drew the attention of our news team.
Mr. Ritchie told our news team that he, along with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, had to bunker down in a section of their home during the passage of the hurricane last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the destruction was even more severe at a neighbouring house, where Ms. Smalling and her family were seen attempting to salvage what they could.
Travelling the roads in South St. Elizabeth was hazardous, which was further compounded by persistent rainfall and the near-total darkness caused by the widespread power outages.
Large tree trunks and light posts blocked several roads, making passage nearly impossible.
Cell service was non-existent, as more than three cell towers in the area have been damaged.
As our news team witnessed the sheer scale of devastation, it became evident that the communities now face a daunting recovery.
The rebuilding process will undoubtedly be long.
But the resilience and spirit of the residents of Top Hill, St. Elizabeth, shine through.
We’ll have more extensive coverage of Hurricane Beryl’s impact on the residents and businesses in the southern region of the country on Tuesday.
Credit: Source link