Earlier we show you residents in Hope Creek who are still clinging to hope – and 15 miles south is Sittee River. One life was lost but an entire village was impacted. How are they doing five days later? We returned today to find out.
Keith Swift Reporting
Life has been returning to normal slowly in Sittee River. The store and restaurant are still closed and most yards still resemble junkyards. But despite that, there is little despair here in Sittee River, we found perseverance. Most villagers have already picked up the pieces they have left and are moving on.
And one sure sign of a comeback is that the village barber has reopened for business – while down the road – residents are trying to restore SUVs which fell victim to the flood. But more than all that – houses are now becoming homes again.
Sherett Espinoza, Sittee River Resident
“So far we have done our mother’s house. Up to last night she was finishing clean up the mess. We wash up the China closet because the things in there didn’t break so those are back in. The bathroom is back under control and then she went and bought a bed and a couple mattress so that she could start off with. Well the refrig is working, we drained it out and my dad WD40 it and it is working. The washing machine is not working but we got back one in place. We are trying to do some cleaning up now."
Keith Swift,
How do you feel now compared to how you felt on Monday or Tuesday?
Sherett Espinoza,
“Well a little better but like you are working and working and you aren’t seeing any head way.”
But it’s not home sweet home for everyone.
Kim Ledland, Sittee River Resident
“In my house everything has been washed off; all my chairs, house hold items and so but the house is still in tact.”
Keith Swift,
Did you get everything you need in terms of food supplies and so?
Kim Ledland,
“More than just enough, we have it all in abundance. I am still not too sure where to store everything but for sure we are doing okay.”
But Sittee River might have bigger problems. Health Inspector Edward Nunez says they are vigilant and on alert for a possible public health crisis.
Edward Nunez, Public Health Inspector
“Yesterday we went around. We saw few patients with mainly rash, you know, very minimal in numbers. The water is up and running, chlorinated and we are also handing out tablets as well to families and people are very receptive. We have the guys from the Vector Control as well moving around into individual homes to see what are the conditions in terms of water that is stagnant and we begin treating those waters and we are here again today to complement that.”
There are 400 residents in Sittee Village. Another southern village affected was Sarawee. Marie Sharpe says the Red Cross is also on the ground there.
