Family seeks help for missing farmer
For many people uprooted from their homes by yesterday’s flash floods, today was the time to survey the damage. Jacqueline Woods joined residents of one hard hit village on the Western Highway.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Today as the water started to go down in St. Matthew’s Village, many residents who have been affected by the flood went back to their homes to see the damage and clean up the mess.
Eva Burgos, Secretary, St. Matthew’s Village Council
“We had some houses that went flat. We had board houses that they weren’t strong enough for the current that past yesterday and they’re flat down. We have three of those houses that are not in any kind of use. Then, the other houses it’s just their house items, their refrige, stoves, mostly house items that got affected by this.”
Although some people still had to wade in water that was up to their waist or use a canoe to get to their homes, the residents were determined to see exactly what they had lost during the torrential rains.
Elvira Casasola, Resident, St. Matthew’s Village
“Most of the houses are under water and it’s a very bad part over there because it’s beside the creek and almost all of the houses ketch with the water in there.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So those residents who live to the back lost everything?”
Elvira Casasola
“Well I must think so because most of them, deh mi can’t tek (take) out their things none at all.”
Egbert Gillett, Flood Victim
“Well after when I see it start to jump in my yard then I say, well I no know the guys weh deh dah (that are to the) back deh supposed to di get wah (a) licking. So I seh (say) well maybe they wah (will) come through and the water wah come lee higher and maybe I have to get out of my house or something like that. But after a while I see the water start to drop back and I try get my materials back, but they done gone already.”
On Thursday morning the National Emergency Management Organisation activated several of its committees to see what could be done to help the flood victims.
Anthony Sylvestre, Co-ordinator, NEMO
“Well NEMO is comprised of ten committees, namely the food committee, transport committee, search and rescue, we have an evacuation committee and also we have a health committee. Primarily now, the committees which are really activated are the search and rescue, evacuation and the food and materials committee.”
In Belmopan, the one hundred and fifty-six residents who had to be evacuated from surrounding areas including Salvapan, Cotton Tree and Maya Mopan sought shelter at the City Centre.
Klaus Adamek, Volunteer, Belize Red Cross
“If you look at the moment it’s lunchtime. We will have approximately sixty people here because people are going back to their property trying to rescue what they can rescue. So they’re very nervous to go there, but others they just stay and relax here because they know that they have nothing. You can see inside some people have all their furniture, TV and fan. People living in somewhat better houses, but they also were washed away.”
This morning the Belize Defence Force was busy evacuating people who live and work along the Coastal Road. Simone and her children who live in the area, were among of the families rescued.
Simone Scott, Flood Victim
“Well right now the water is like three steps away from the door. The animals are all struggling, trying to stay alive.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Is this the first time you’re going through this?”
Simone Scott
“Yes, by myself yes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Did the water rise quickly?”
Simone Scott
“Very quickly. Up to last night the water was like onto level and this morning it was all the way up.”
However in St. Matthew’s Village, the community is praying for the safe return of its former Chairman Oswald Young. Young and his common law Wife, Margarita Bustamante along with two of their young children, had gone to their farm situated off mile thirty-six. The family says Young left Bustamante and the children at the house to go to his workplace nearby, but believes during the rain he got trapped and could not make it back home. This morning we understand a British Forces helicopter rescued Bustamante and her children who were found in a tree clinging for life. The farmhouse was washed away by the flood.
Jacqueline Woods
“Your brother had the opportunity to speak to Margarita at the hospital, what did she say happen?”
Patricia Valdez, Young’s Daughter
“She said he left from the evening before because he was doing a watchman job and from then she no see him again.”
Melito Bustamante, Young’s Brother-in-law
“Well she cannot even talk right now because she is so weak.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Were they trapped ?”
Melito Bustamante
“Yes they were trapped because when she come out just now she could barely talk, she all weak and limber and also the baby.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So right now who is out there looking for your father?”
Patricia Valdez
“My brother, my husband and the BDF mi gone back again in the plane, but they noh come back come seh (say) nothing, so I noh know. They noh say nothing.”
Jacqueline Woods
“All day family members have been out looking for Oswald Young. According to reports, Young left his farmhouse to go to his nearby workplace Stella’s Sand and Gravel. It is reported he was at the site when the water started to rise.”
Melito Bustamante
“Well the search been so difficult because we can’t even reach the point where my brother lies right now. If you travel one mile back, you can’t even go no more because the river has jumped the bank and lose control completely. So there’s nothing we could do with the small canoe that we’re in right now.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Have you guys informed the authorities that you’re brother-in-law is missing?”
Melito Bustamante
“Yes we did. I informed the British soldiers and they said they were going to come back and find some BDF soldiers and they say they were going to go check it out, but up to now I get no results from nobody or no answer from nobody.”
The family says they are hoping for more aerial assistance from both the Belize Defence Force and British Forces to help locate Young. In the meantime NEMO advises people living in affected areas to listen closely to all advisories. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
