As you saw in the weather report before the break, tonight all eyes are on the Temash River as it continues to affect residents in the deep south. We’ll show you images from there shortly, but first to the Stann Creek District where just the rumour of rising water causes residents to shudder. True enough, the ghosts of Tropical Storm Arthur continue to haunt those living on the banks of the Sittee River. Arthur’s flash floods were directly responsible for five deaths and untold devastation in the Stann Creek District in June. And that’s why there was understandable unease along the banks of the Sittee late last week when the river began rising after continuing rains. Today our team of Keith Swift and Alex Ellis returned south for the story of worry and recovery.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Despite a steadily rising Sittee River, today traffic flowed freely across the temporary bridge at Kendall. A month ago Tropical Storm Arthur washed away the old bridge, leaving this great divide and this heap of scrap metal.
Downstream, the mighty Sittee took away more than just a bridge. This was the scene in Sittee River village a month ago. We met residents salvaging the little they could from their possessions which had been consumed and destroyed Arthur’s flash floods. A month later, the village’s main restaurant has reopened for business and for the most part – so has the village.
Sherett Espinoza, Resident – Sittee River Village
“Everything is back to normal.”
Angela Reynolds, Sittee River Village
“I am doing good now because I got back most of my stuff back in my house. Thanks to everyone that helped me and so I have to say I am back on my foot again.”
There is no flooding at the moment. The Sittee River has returned to its normal level. But the same can’t be said about life here in Sittee River. That is because residents live in constant fear that the flood waters will return.
Hilton Lamb Sr., Sittee River Resident
“Some time last week when it started to flood, the river started to come back again. In the night I would go down by the water side and check it out. I mark it and see if the water is rising or falling. I was bothered. I was afraid but did the water didn’t come up.”
Angela Reynolds,
“When it rains you can’t sleep good. We have to get up every
time it rains to make sure we are not getting flash floods again and we have to be on the alert.”
Sherett Espinoza,
“It just scares people a little bit. I don’t know if gradually as the days go by they will get back to normal but right now I can’t tell. Now and again when the weather starts, when it thunders and lightning, you just get up and see if you see any water or if you hear any water coming like the last time when the water was coming and you could hear it from a distance.”
Keith Swift,
So you live in fear?
Sherett Espinoza,
“Yeah, everybody.”
And that includes residents in Hope Creek. A month ago their lives were devastated by floods. This was the inside of Thadeus Pook’s home – and almost a month later he and other residents are still being haunted by the floods.
Thadeus Pook, Hope Creek Resident
“Friday morning when we got up, last week Friday, we heard a truck came around about 6 o’clock blowing and blowing and when I jumped up, everyone was opening their windows and doors and when we watched the water was low, real low, like to the first step out at the road. Every body had already started to move out their things already. It is a nightmare for them because of the last flood but the water didn’t come high, only like a foot and a half out at the road side and after that it went down back. But you can see that everybody is still scared.”
Amira Emmanuel, Hope Creek Resident
“People had begun to think we would get a next flash flood and so
we were just looking out and we tried to be more prepared and move out and as we said nothing came up.”
Keith Swift,
So you are still scared that the water might come back?
Amira Emmanuel,
“Yes.”
Keith Swift,
Will life for you guys ever return to normal, will it ever be the same for you again?
Amira Emmanuel,
“I don’t think so because since I have lived here, when we saw water we never moved out, we were never afraid but since that big flood and so, as we see water we want to move out because we never know what will happen.”
Keith Swift,
Do you plan to stay in this area?
Thadeus Pook,
“Not really. We don’t plan to continue living here because I think we are too close to the river and I guess if another one comes I don’t think these houses will be able to stand the pressure of the water. From the first one it got, the house is left kind of twist so I don’t think it will take the next one. We don’t want to wait for that moment to find out so I don’t think we will continue living here.”
Andy Diego, Hope Creek Resident
“All I say is if God wants to do us anything, no matter where we go that will happen. So I believe in that, I don’t really run when I see the flood or nothing. The other day when we woke up, out here was filled with water. See water is still in the area and I got up and filled the area with sand and blocked it off because I don’t have anywhere to go either.”
Reporting for 7NEWS from the Stann Creek District I am Keith Swift.
We note that the Red Cross is still deployed in Hope Creek.
