At least eight persons have been confirmed dead, while three remained unaccounted for Wednesday afternoon — Christmas Day — after heavy rains overnight triggered extensive flooding and damage to infrastructure in St. Vincent.
The loss of life was most significant in North Leeward, in northwest St. Vincent, where five members of one household died when a slope collapsed unto their house in Rose Bank.
One person died in Byera on the western side of the country and 43-year-old Desmond Wilson died after being swept away by floodwaters Tuesday night in the South Leeward community of Vermont.
The body of 18-year-old Kesla James, who, along with her 2-year-old niece, was washed away in Cane Grove, was recovered in the Central Leeward community midmorning Wednesday.
Inka Jack, 12, and Josell Small, an employee of Buccament Bay Resort, both of whom were swept away by floodwaters at separate locations in Buccament Bay Tuesday night, were still unaccounted for.
“It is not a merry Christmas at all. Basically, the mood of the people who are around here, having seen the devastation down here, a family of five succumbed in Rose Bank, has left a sombre mood on the village there,” journalist and lawyer Carlos James, who is vying to be the ruling Unity Labour Party’s candidate for North Leeward in the next general elections, told I-Witness News on Wednesday.
James said that he was there when the five bodies were recovered from under debris but was unsure about their identities.
“I can safely say I think two adult women and two young children; I can’t give you an indication as to what their ages are,” he told I-Witness News via telephone from North Leeward.
“A lot of persons are out and supporting each other,” he further said, but noted that water and electricity had not been restored to the area, the nation’s largest constituency.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said that 50 per cent of consumers island-wide are without pipe-borne water and the Central Water and Sewerage Authority has said that residents of the southern swath of the country — from Layou, South Leeward, Kingstown and its environs right through to Villa — “will be without pipe-borne water for an extended period from today, Christmas Day”.
James said that roads were blocked in the Rose Bank, Troumaca, Coulls Hill, Spring Village and Cumberland areas.
“The traffic there is rendered immobile for now,” he said of Cumberland, adding, “[There is] a lot of housing and livestock damage in Spring Village.”
He said there was a lot of flooding in the areas close to the river in Spring Village and that the only bypass road to and from Kingstown “took some beating”.
The houses on the flat in Charles Village were flooded out, James further said. “So, quite a lot of infrastructural damage,” he said.
In Cane Grove and Buccament Bay, there was also mourning, as the body of 18-year-old Kesla James was recovered midmorning Wednesday and hope for finding alive the three other missing persons faded.
Kesla was among several persons, including her sister, Colleen James, who left their mother’s house to seek refuse after it began to flood. The James’ mother won the house, which borders the riverside, as part of her “Set For Life” winnings from the National Lotteries Authorities some years ago.
Colleen, who lives in Canada and is visiting with her four children for Christmas, told reporters that they decided to leave the house after police, who they contacted via telephone, advised them to try to do so.
She said that her mother and another person in the house decided to stay.
Curt “Kebra” Clifton, who lives in Kingstown and had gone to visit his friend, Junior Cambridge, in Cane Grove, helped to rescue Stella and one of her children.
Cambridge’s house also provided refuge for a young goat that was washed inside when the house flooded, destroying the furniture and electronic appliances on the ground flood
Clifton said he and Cambridge were looking outside at the strange, almost continuous, flashing of lightning. (See video) “When we looked around the house, we saw people and heard voices. We looked across by the neighbour and saw three persons floating away down to the river.
He said that when the waters “settled down”, they went outside in the chest high flood, and were able to rescue Colleen and one of her daughters.
“My brethren almost got pulled under by the girl, because she was so panicking that she ended pulling him under with the searchlight and I had to grab his hand,” Clifton told I-Witness News.
“I wasn’t even looking for this. I was supposed to leave this morning,” Clifton said, pointing out that his visit to his friend’s house was supposed to be a brief one.
About two hours before her sister’s body was recovered, Stella was seen at the side of the road crying, and praying for a positive outcome.
“I never do nothing wrong; I always good,” she cried as a cleric attempted to console her, then later prayed with her.
“Please work a miracle; I know you can,” she prayed. “Maybe they are unconscious God, but they are alive. I want them to be alive,” she further prayed amidst wailing.
A few hours later Kesla’s body was recovered, sandwiched against a wall near a large culvert laden with debris.
After her sister’s body was taken away, Colleen told reporters what happened after they left her mother’s house the night before.
“We all were going together, but the water came down heavy and it just turned us over,” she said, adding that they were being submerged by water as they attempted to regain their footing.
She said one of her sons grabbed onto her leg, while another held unto her uncle.
They were able to make it to a wall then onto a tree, where they were later rescued.
The uncle, Glenny James, told reporters that he had a child under each of his arms and were holding on “for death and life”.
But he fell as the water got heavier and then the electricity went out, throwing the place into darkness.
On the coast, in Buccament Bay, Caston Barber of Questelles, was trying to keep hope that his 12-year-old daughter, Iynca Jack, who lives with him in Questelles, would be found alive.
She went to Buccament Bay to spend Christmas with her mother, and the two of them were swept away, but her mother was found alive in a tree, he told I-Witness News.
A few hundred yards away, on the beach just outside Buccament Bay Resort, Ricky Small was waiting for the Coast Guard to turn up to conduct a search for his wife, Joselle.
He declined an on the record interview but said they both have a 1-year-old child together.
Small earlier told journalist Jerry George that he was told that his wife was swept away as she and two of her co-workers made their way home from work.
He said one of Joselle’s co-workers said that they walked to the edge of the road because of the flooding and the road gave way.
Two of them fell over and Joselle was washed away.
They incident took place outside the resort, where two vehicles remained partly submerged under water on Wednesday.
At the resort, access to the beach was restricted, because, a security officer said, electrical cables were exposed there.
In Vermont, Blessing Williams told I-Witness News that her brother, Desmond Wilson, 43, was having a drink with some friends then left to go home around midnight Tuesday.
He was washed away by floodwaters and his body found along the riverbank on Wednesday.
In addition to the loss of life, there was extensive damage in the Cane Grove–Buccament Bay area and other districts across the country.
Harold Fraser told I-Witness News that he estimates up to EC$300,000 in damage as a result of the flooding of the ground floor of his home, where his business was located.
One of his vehicles was washed away and the deluge damaged another.
Retaining and fencing walls on many properties had collapsed, and some persons had begun to clean up Wednesday afternoon.
The torrential result from a trough system that has also resulted in loss of life and damage to infrastructure in St. Lucia and Dominica.
May the God of hope be with us all .
Karima, I absolutely concur.
My condolences to everyone who has been affected by this disaster. God bless.
Such sad news from Vincy, on a day when all should be celebrating. My thoughts and prayers are with all. Keep safe.
I SEND MY DEEP SYMPATHY.
My prayers goes out to the families of those who suffered severly.
To those who lost their love one’s have faith in our God. Our prayers in with you all, may God give each and every one of you during this time of grief.
Lord God have mercy on us
The fact that no one was prepared for this is what makes it all the more impacting. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased. I pray that the Lord shelters them in his comforting arms.
This tragedy is just heart rending, i can only imagine what the families of these lost ones are going tru at this time
WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE O F THIS COUNTRY, WE WILL LOVE TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
What a sad and heart breaking christmas day.
A time when we all look to reflect, share and celebrate,
Has turned out to be one of ; tears, grief and sadness.
But like everything else, God is still in control, though we might not
Understand why things occure,
on behalf of my family, and my country Doninica, we extend our deepest
Condolences, to the families and friends who have lost love ones,may God
Comfort, keep, sustain, and save those who have survive this tragedy.
To the Government and ppl of St.Vincent and the Grenadines…..may God bless u
,and comfort u…and cause u to find the neccessary resourses to rebuild the lives
of those who were affect u…God blees u..
How can we help?
My heart is deeply sadden, I pray for those that have lost loved ones, those that are missing, those that are homeless because of this terrible disaster…just remember that God is good all the time even when it doesn’t seem that way.
I hope we all band together as a Caribbean and help our brothers and sisters.
May god continue to watch over st vincent and the grenadines and my prayers goes out to the families who lost their love one.
God’s Grace is able to carry through of grief but my sympathy goes out to the family that mourn at this time. BE STRONG my brothers n sisters!
My prayer goes out to the family who lost their love one just keep holding on and be strong for the ones who is alive…..
My thoughts and prayers are with my people in our beloved Country. Tears and more tears, Be Strong my people.
My prayers for my beloved homeland. So sad, especially at Christmas time.
My prayers will be with you God will be your helper may God richly bless the people of ST VINCENTAND GRENIDINES LOVE YOU GUYS
My heart is really breaking for my country right now. I don’t know what words to say, but take comfort in the fact that Christ is in the midst of all this chaos, and he can turn your mourning into dancing. Just be strong and hold to his unchanging hand.
IWN, thanks a million for the photos, it has really brought home the devastation that SVG is facing.
I know this is probably not the appropriate time to say this, considering the feeling of pain my countrymen are suffering right now, but folks need to stop throwing debris and garbage in the rivers and along the roadway. This blocks the passageway of the water and contributes to a lot of the flooding. Anyone noticed the pile of garbage behind the peach house in the photo?
Please, my people, let’s be a be a bit more considerate and dispose of our trash appropriately, to reduce the level of flooding in the future.
Prayers for the People St. Vincent. Continue to trust in the Lord!
Sending prayers from Belize to our people in Yurumein! May you find the strength to carry on with your lives despite the darkness of this present time.
I would like to take a moment to extend my sincere condolences to the families of those who perished from the flood waters, landslides and other devastating effects of this rainstorm in St. Vincent. May they find comfort and strength to carry on, in their time of bereavement. Our heartfelt prayers go to those who have been injured, lost their homes, and other properties. Am still shocked by the graphic images of the devastating impact on this storm. I feel somewhat helpless and powerless to do anything at the moment. I rely on Our Creator to send a speedy resolution, also am calling on all my family members in the U.S., Canada to do everything possible to help those in need here in St. Vincent. From the images I have seen and the reports I have heard, clean water is needed, clothing, medical supplies, food, shelther. I am pleading that you do your part in supporting the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, who are most in need. this is an S.O.S. to the second power!!!!
I would like to take a moment to extend my sincere condolences to the families of those who perished from the flood waters, landslides and other devastating effects of this rainstorm in St. Vincent. May they find comfort and strength to carry on, in their time of bereavement. Our heartfelt prayers go to those who have been injured, lost their homes, and other properties. Am still shocked by the graphic images of the devastating impact on this storm. I feel somewhat helpless and powerless to do anything at the moment. I rely on Our Creator to send a speedy resolution, also am calling on all my family members in the U.S., Canada to do everything possible to help those in need here in St. Vincent. From the images I have seen and the reports I have heard, clean water is needed, clothing, medical supplies, food, shelter. I am pleading that you do your part in supporting the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, who are most in need. this is an S.O.S. to the second power!!!!
My heartfelt condolences to the family that have lost loved ones and may they souls rest in peace. Very sad indeed but moreso on a day like today. My prayers are with you all and SVG
my heart goes out to the families of St, Vincent that suffered through this unforeseen disaster. The entire Caribbean is weeping with you. Loosing love ones is not an easy thing and for it to happen on Christmas must be even harder to bare. I pray that you guys will be comforted at this time and be assured that the rest of the Caribbean will be working with you to get things back in order
My heart goes out to the people of St. Vincent who were affected by this tragedy. To those who have suffered lost I extend my deepest condolences. For those who are mourning the lost of love ones may the Good Lord grant you the strength and courage to pickup the pieces and to carry on.
This sounds like a horror story. My heartfelt sympathies to the family of those who lost lives and the people of svg.
my prayers is with all the people of st vincent whose life have been affected by this storm, and to those who lose love ones god will make a way for you…
Absolutely devastated to read and watch what has been happening in our beloved homeland. Deepest condolences to those who have lost love ones. Tears are a language the God understand.
Heart breaking news from the Caribbean especially my home land SVG. May God strengthen those who lost love ones and send help to those whose homes were affected. United we stand, therefore, let’s start working towards the recovery of our sweet island.I love you St Vincent.
Our Prayers go out to those family in St Vincent in this their time of mourning Pray God give you strength
conrad Rogers
Stmaarten
My heart goes out to everyone on your island for such a disaster. …please keep praying only pray and strength can help us all. I can give clothing. Anyone know of a disaster family please allow them to contact me at this number.(340) 718 3670, they can text me or if they use whatsup’ at 340 677 3655.
…Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper, 2Chronicles 20:20. It is always a very painful thing to see the direct result of a disobedient nation. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises but is long suffering towards us. I have been around this entire country giving messages of warning but went on deaf ears. Instead of obeying the man of God, many said and done all sorts of things to destroy the messenger. I am the crazy man who wore the red gown and appeared in various ways as directed by the Lord to bring pertinent messages of repentance, rebuke and judgement and at the same time assuring the people that there is hope and salvation if they turn back to God. For most they rejected and in my final message in October in Sion Hill and Kingstown in particular, the Lord told me to tell the people of the Land that He is going to visit the nation soon with a disaster that will take people by surprise. I left the state in December 8th as instructed by God. This is a time of Judgement and there are yet greater things to come.
Remember, touch not the Lords Anointed and do the prophet no harm.
Its heart aching to loose anyone on a day that speaks Joy!! May their souls REST IN PEACE as they sit at Jesus feet .. My deepest condolences goes out to their family in this heart wrenching time of bereavement and lost.
its d las days ppl we need prayers my condolences goes out to d family dat lost loved ones
may the good God of heaven bring comfort to all those who has Suffered in this tragic situation in which we have no control over. Let us remember that God is able to see us through in every situation that comes our way no matter what.
As a fellow Vincentian my sincere sympity goes out to the families who lost love one keep holding on to God unchangeing love To all Vincentian stay strong and work together in this time of distress
this is one of the disastrous things that is happening right now, who knows which country is next. ‘THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS’ according to the bible.
My prayers be with St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica.
My deep sympathy!
MY HEART IS BREAKING FOR YOU CUZ. OUR TWO SWEET ANGELS ARE WITH GOD.
My Heart goes out for those whom lost their loves ones in this serious deaster
My Heart goes out for those whom lost their loves ones in this serious deaster
My condolences to the families and friendswho have lost love ones..may God help you’
My deepest sympathies to the residents of St. Vincent especially from the Vermont / Buccament area where I spent a lot of my youth.
I hope that foreign assistance will contribute to a speedy repair of the infrastructure and I pray that normalcy returns to the lives of the affected families.
Thank God that a disaster of this magnitude did not result in a greater loss of life.
Materials can be replaced. Lives cannot be replaced.
MAY GOD JEHOVAH BE WITH U ALL AND COMFORT THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEY LOVE ONES IT IS HARD BUT REMEMBER PAIN AND SORRY COME NOW BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING.
My heart goes out for my people in my homeland St vincent . May GOD have mercy . I pray GOD will give to everyone the Peace that past all understanding . No matter where in the world we reside SVG will always be home . GOD BLESS SVG . Our condolances goes out to those who lost love ones .
Carlene’s Hair Designs .
My prayers for St. Vincent, my grandfather homeland
I am saddened to hear and see photos that make the level of devastation to/in SVG a harsh reality . My heart breaks for the lives that were lost and I pray that the missing will be found so that their families can find closure and try to begin the healing process. We are SVG “Hairoun” land of the blessed, we will overcome; it may take a while but we will overcome. I will keep pray for SVG.
Peace
Proud Vincy
It pains to see such devastation , even though I am far away, I imagine the impact this could have on every day life for the next few weeks at least. I am happy that my immediate family is safe , but so sadden by the loss of life and destruction to personal property.I pray our God will have mercy as we repent as nation and turn back to God. We keep saying we are” land of blessed ” we are holding onto old promises , this new generation must seek God and serve him in order to remain a land of the “Blessed”.
As a Grenadian ,I to share your sorrow at such devastation and loss of life. St Vincent is our closest neighbour and sister island that has always shared a close bond with Grenada. May you find the strength and energy to rebuild your lovely island as quick as possible.