Mountainside residents unite to repair community

Two weeks ago when THE STAR team was in Mountainside in St Elizabeth, it was chaotic.

Hurricane Beryl had trampled the area, leaving fallen trees, badly damaged houses, and blocked and flooded roads. So violent were the rains and winds that the news team had to be rescued by a good Samaritan, Oneil Robinson.

Currently, the kind-hearted residents of Mountainside are joining hands and rebuilding their community one block at a time. A few roofs remained caved in, but for the most part, it would be difficult to tell at first, and even second glance, that the community had been ravaged by a massive hurricane.

"We start the repair process from the day after the hurricane. We start clearing trees and dem tings deh. After that, we start work on our house, and at the same time help others with theirs," a young farmer said.

The man was among a group who was enjoying drinks at a bar. The morning after the disaster, the owner of the establishment had been seen removing her goods from the pub as the roof and other sections of the building were destroyed. But now, the bar is as good as new. A customer told THE WEEKEND STAR that it took a few days for them to renovate the space, and the doors were open soon after. His only source of discomfort, he says, comes from the sting or buzz of mosquitoes.

"The only thing we would hope for is that the mosquitoes pass through every other day instead of every day. They are just acting mad and crazy. A morning time when mi a go bush, I have to wear a raincoat all when rain not falling, just to prevent mosquito bites. When mi all look on the raincoat, dem just sit down in [their] hundreds a wait to attack mi," the customer said between laughter.

One could not forget the sight of a huge tree that had partially crushed another bar in the community. Its owner, Marvin Lawrence, was having electrical work done on the building.

"We went through a lot. It was a guango tree that drop in our bar. It just take up residence in the middle of it. We rebuild the bar better than before. It is neater and so far it cost over $300,000 to do, and we still nuh refinish yet," he said.

Several utility contractors were observed carrying out repair works in St Elizabeth. Lawrence said they are waiting on their turn.

"We a do we thing because we can't sit down and pree politics. Mi have a generator a gwaan use [for domestic and business purposes]. We are adjusting ourselves and waiting until electricity comes back. We just have to wait, because it's a natural disaster that passed through. JPS is working, so we probably get back light soon," Lawrence said.

He added that he is impressed by the unity within the space and showers praises on the residents who, he said, have shown resilience.

"It's the first time I have seen the community just unite like this. We nuh hear nobody a cuss who a JLP or PNP. Everyone is just on a move to get them ting together and who can give a hand do. Everything is normal, it's just light and water we want; so it's safe to say that Beryl unite everyone," he said.