Pedro Cays fisherfolk ‘lucky’ to survive storm

Seventeen people who refused to leave the Pedro Cays ahead of Hurricane Melissa's wrath are lucky to be alive, after the storm flattened most of the fishing camps and even damaged the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) outpost on the tiny island.

"It mash up bad out deh. All the JDF camp, the top liff up and drop pon the cays," one fisherman told THE STAR.

It is alleged that when the winds and waves began to tear through the cays, the 16 men and one woman who stayed behind sought refuge at the JDF base, but when that structure failed, they had to run for safety at a dome owned by the Fisheries Division.

"A lucky dem lucky them nuh lose dem life. Dem decide say dem nah leave," the fisherman said. He explained that although he chose to stay at home on the mainland, he has been keeping tabs on his "camp" and friends out on the cays.

"Some of the camp dem drop flat a ground, some of them blow off. Mine still standing but it get shake up and most a dem mash up. Nuff a my friend dem over there a tell me wah gwaan and dem a build back," he said. According to him, rebuilding will not be too difficult.

"Our structure dem over Pedro not too expensive, just couple posts and ply. The ply might be the most expensive thing to buy," he reasoned. Still, he said experience taught him to stay put this time.

"A long time me inna the water so me know when fi stay a my yard. Mi nuh have no reason fi a risk my life," he added. "Them a experience fishermen and woman so dem know the risks and dangers of hurricane."

Businesswomen Shernett Linton, who operates in both Parottee, St Elizabeth, and on the cays, said the hurricane left deep emotional and physical scars.

"I did do some repair recently on my shop, so it good, nothing much nuh do it, and thank God no life was lost over there, but here in Parottee, St Elizabeth -- oh my God man, I have to put my grandbaby them on the vehicle top to save them because water cover we," Linton said. "We get terrible damage, my house mash up. The road up here all buss inna two and take weh one house. One man a try fi cross it and drown. This after the hurricane pass."

Linton praised rescuers and donors who stepped in after the storm. But while expressing pride in the community spirit that has emerged, she said the experience has left her traumatised and frustrated that some areas are being overlooked.

"Parottee was hit as hard as Black River and other areas but is getting little to no attention. Mi deh close to Pelican Bar, there is no more Pelican. The only thing you can see is the board with the name dem carve out inna it," she lamented.