At mile 8 and 9, most roads are flooded
We found other villages along the western highway where rivers and lagoons are at extreme levels. Between miles eight and nine the roads are inundated and it is forecasted that the waters will conjoin its savannahs. The run-offs and the water rushes from the west of the country are flowing downwards into the rivers and lakes of the villages and communities. Over eighty percent of the access roads are flooded and some areas are completely inaccessible. Residents of the area say they normally experience flooding every two or three years but this time the water level is creeping up on them quickly.
Jerome Sedacy, Resident, West Lake Community
“It start to raise but it no raise so rapid. It woulda have to raise at least a foot and a half more fi go eena the house. According to the news, it will be Wednesday or Thursday that di majority ah di water wah come down from Cayo so dat dah weh we afraid of right now. My whole family went to Belize ‘til the water go down. So I noh have—dis da fi we house and we have to live up yah.”
Winston Williams, Resident, West Lake Community
“I just di live yah fi two years now and dis dah di second time I di see di water di come like this. So I noh really know how far di water di come but people explain and seh dah way dah dehn white post. But I noh know if dah really true but I di try see it fi di experience ah weh really di happen now.”
Duane Moody
“Right now I notice dat your house deh under water. How high did di water raise?”
Winston Williams
“Right now di water deh bout two feet eena mi yard. Right now I di try pick up mi board dehn weh di float bout and I deh inna bad condition. I would ah really want di minister, Mr. Hutchinson come here and si weh condition wi deh inna mek ih try dump up dis road yah and give wi wah lee culvert ova deh mek wi could drive in because I got mi lee car ova deh. Mi car bruk weh I di come through this road yah.”
The residents say there is little or no food and water and in some areas, there is no electricity.
