While many of us were snuggling up in bed on Sunday night, and listening to nature’s fireworks, families in Southern Belize were fighting for their lives. The brown, forceful flood waters swallowed the lives of at least five Belizeans. Bridges, culverts, roads, homes, vehicles, trees, animals, citrus crops, and farming equipment felt the power of the strong, fast moving river waters as it rose rapidly and swept away almost everything in its path.
A two-member team from Kremandala and Channel 7 flew to Dangriga to report on the aftermath of the flash flood. As I flew over the Caribbean Sea, on Monday afternoon, I saw that the water from the rivers, and other adjacent areas was emptying into the sea, and left its brown and tan stain on large segments of what was once a blue/green colored sea along the coastline. To see homes, buildings, and highways drowning in water was startling to the eyes.
A short ride in a dump truck to Sarawee, off Mile 4 on the Hummingbird Highway, allowed us a close-up view of the flooded village. The water was flowing down from Hope Creek and Sarawee to Dangriga around 1:30 on Monday afternoon. Portions of the Southern Highway were covered with water, the current that is a typical characteristic of the river could be seen in the large bodies of brown water that were on both sides of the road.
People waded through the water, then waist high, some had children or belongings held high above the water, the stairs of many bungalow homes were not visible, and lampposts and house posts strained to remain standing. Animals that did not find dry land found unusual places to stay dry. Chickens were on top of dog houses, cows were in water up to their bellies, and dogs were barking.
What I felt looking at the faces of people, and listening to them share their experiences is indescribable. When you come face to face with someone you have never seen or met before, and you meet them under such extreme circumstances, the feelings and thoughts are fast and unclear. I wanted to help, but felt helpless, and they looked at me wanting help, yet also recognizing that my help would be limited. Some of them chose not to be interviewed, and I understood and respected their decisions. Very few people had insurance, and they did not know how and when their lives would return to normalcy. The bond evident between people was affirming and warm. Around 4:30 our team headed for Dangriga, after visiting Hope Creek and Sarawee.
I spent the night in Dangriga, and was told on Tuesday morning, that around 11:00 on Monday night, sections of the Benguche and Wagierale areas were flooded. Some of the flood victims were also staying at shelters in Dangriga. It was also reported that around seven-thirty Tuesday morning the water in Sarawee, that had begun to run off, began rising again.
The Belize Special Assignment Group (BSAG) and Belize Disaster Rescue Response Team, who worked in collaboration with NEMO, ordered a mandatory evacuation of Sarawee. Some residents were reluctant to leave their homes, but eventually complied with the order. That evacuation was not completed until after eleven.
As I spoke with residents of Sarawee, some complained about not getting food and water in a timely manner, and being evacuated and left stranded on the side of the road. I accompanied the family of Carlos Lopez as they returned home to get their dogs; fortunately for them they had insurance coverage. The tarantula spider that was trapped in their screen door reminded me about the effect of the flash flood on the insects, and the environment.
Even though keeping my people informed is my passion, the reality of carrying all these experiences with me weighs heavy on my spirit. However, when I think of the affected families as individuals who have the same thoughts, dreams, and desires like most of us and how they will summon the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the next, then I am encouraged to stay true to keeping our people informed.
Remember, my people, it should not only take a crisis like this to unify us.