Residents stranded as water rises by 5 feet in Gracie Rock
The rains are also affecting other parts of the Belize District and we found the Gracie Rock Village, which is located off the Western Highway, under threat tonight. A News Five crew dispatched to the village found streets submerged in over five feet of water from the overflowing Sibun River. There was no way of knowing the demarcation of the river from the backyards of houses. The cemetery is under water and some families cannot exit their homes due to the gushing waters. The crew paddled their way through the currents and the strides of the river to reach residents who have been stranded from the main road. Some of them say the water rose quickly and unexpectedly and although the rains have subsided somewhat, they are under threat.
Laura Usher, Resident, Gracie Rock Village
“Well di water just come out all of a sudden. Like ih just start like inna di morning but eight o’clock and by nine, ten bout dehn hours deh ih done di run through di yard. Dat was on Saturday morning.”
Duane Moody
“And when did the water recede? When did it go away?”
Laura Usher
“Day before yesterday ih start to go back but yesterday ih start to swell up back again. But ih look like ih deh one place right now; ih look like ih noh di come back and ih noh di go yet.”
Duane Moody
“How high did the water come? Did it reach inside the house?”
Laura Usher
“No, only two step.”
Laurel Young, Resident, Gracie Rock Village
“Well the water started raising from about Thursday but it really came over the line one Sunday. Since Sunday, Monday it just started to drop off a little from off the land.”
Duane Moody
“I notice that you have a shop. How has this affected your business?”
Laurel Young
“It affected my business because I couldn’t open over the weekend because water was too high. The road coming in and going out was impassable for the villagers.”
Duane Moody
“How high did the water rise?”
Laurel Young
“To our waist. There is still shortage of things; no firewood so we have to use a gas range and no gas right now so see how I will get it in.”
