And down further south is Mullins River, a small farming community on the Coastal Road which is home to 79 residents. Mullins River too is now an island – inaccessible by land – after its bridge got washed away. Keith Swift found out that while the possessions are gone, the collective spirit of its residents is still there.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Mullins River is a 30 minute boat ride from Gales Point - and as the Coast Guard skiff wound its way through the inlets in the lagoon - the damage to the area’s verdant forest was already apparent. We arrived with the Coast Guard who brought
food for the village’s 79 residents. Chairlady Arlene Bernard says the storm struck without notice.
Arlene Bernard, Chairlady – Mullins River
“We woke up about two o’clock when my nephew came and woke us up and told us the whole village was under water. We didn’t really know the situation was so bad. When we woke up and we stepped outside, the Trooper was already under water and that was the higher part of the village. After that we couldn’t get out none at all.”
Villagers were trapped - including this boy – 3 year old Riley Rubio who was swept away by the currents but miraculously held on to one of these cane trees for 3 hours until he was rescued. The brave boy wasn’t in the mood to talk but his uncle was.
Rizden Flowers, Uncle
“The water was very fast because you couldn’t nothing in it. The only thing you could do was hold on and I fought my way from here until
you get to the shelter way out that and the more you go down, the water got like six to seven feet that way.”
Keith Swift,
Where was Riley?
Rizden Flowers,
“Riley was gone into the bushes, washed away.”
Keith Swift,
When did you find him?
Rizden Flowers,
“The next day morning at about 7 o’clock in the bushes over there. He was holding on to two wild cane.”
Keith Swift,
And again you said this water was just strong.
Rizden Flowers,
“Yes it was very strong.”
Across the river, Severieno Sho who works at a construction site had his own story of survival.
Severieno Sho, Flood Victim – Mullins River
“When we first woke up, we saw flooding here. So we didn’t know what to do and luckily I had credit in my phone and then I called my boss. He tried to ask for help but nobody showed up. But then the guys at the Paradise Shrimp Farm came here with the canoe and they took us. The water was about 6 feet high.”
And while there were images of dramatic damages –chairlady Bernard says the biggest hit will be to the village’s cash crops.
Arlene Bernard,
“All the farm crops went down. You know this is the time when everybody had already planted and all of that gaan. We had maybe a 100 to 150 acres of land totally destroyed; plantains, cassava, cocoa – ground food you know and sweet pepper and different things but everything destroyed – everything.”
What’s also gone is the Mullins River Bridge. But they still have their lives – and Lesmore Moore – who now has to cross from Dangriga by dory because of the collapse of the bridge says – that’s what really matters.
Lesmore Moore, Flood Victim – Mullins River
“The best part is that we are still alive, thank God for that. That is the most important thing.”
Again the greatest need in Mullins River is clean water and clothes. 7NEWS accompanied Coast Guard officers and personnel from the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis team on the boat trip. The DANA team will submit its findings to government who will then attempt to deliver the necessary help. As for the Mullins River Bridge which was washed away and has marooned both villages – as you heard earlier, CEO in the Ministry of Works Cadet Henderson says they are waiting for the waters to recede before installing a small bridge as a temporary fix.
