Seniors grateful for life despite Beryl’s damage

As Hurricane Beryl ripped through a section of their house on Wednesday afternoon, senior citizen Leeroy Hay was scared, but he put on a brave face and weathered the storm, figuratively and literally, in order to provide comfort for his wife Hortense.

The Hays, who are 73 and 71, respectively, live steps away from the seaside in Grants Pen, St Thomas. According to Leeroy, although he lost a few items as the heavy rains and wind belted the parish, he is super grateful that their house is still standing.

"Mi never feel too good inna mi mind, but mi couldn't make mi wife know say mi feel da way deh. The way dem talk about it (the hurricane) over the air make mi feel scared. It was dangerous, but certain part a di country, like St Elizabeth, feel it more than some. If what reach St Elizabeth did come here suh, no house at all would leave here suh," he said.

As she flinched in pain, Hortense, who is putting up a fierce fight against colon cancer, had high praise for her husband, who, she said, slept on the wet portion of the mattress for her sake.

"I was in a lot of pain and I couldn't lay down on the bed comfortably. Mi have to turn cross way and lay down which part nah wet, and mi husband say him will stay in the water. Him stay in the water just to get a nap, and him back not so good, enuh; but him protect mi," she said.

"The fowl coop get hurt (damaged) and 50 of the chickens dead, but if the hurricane did reach we di right way, none wouldn't leave. We lose out on that, but we grateful fi life. The TV mash up, because when mi turn it on a bare noise mi hear, and part a di roof gone, but mi husband nail up what him can," Hortense added.

As THE STAR team roved through the space, fallen boulders and trees, broken fences and roads were observed. Although all the residents were affected by the Category 4 hurricane, they were extremely grateful that their lives were spared.

"It could have been worse, so I have to just give praises to God. I didn't stay at home. But when I came back, I saw that a big tree had dropped just right next to the house. The back of the house get damaged and water come right in, but mi just glad it never worse," Leonie Watson said.