Peta-Gaye Clachar, Staff Photographer

Peter Limtom (right) and his six-year-old son Giovanni sort through their belongings two days after they had to swim out of their house when the water rose to over four feet high during Hurricane Dean on Henry Mogan Boulevard, Port Royal.

Water seems to be the one word on everyone's lips, whether they are talking about the flooding caused by Hurricane Dean or the lack of the substance in their pipes. The catastrophic category four hurricane, which passed by the island late Sunday afternoon, is said to be one of the worst hurricanes in the history of Jamaica. Some say Ivan was worse, but the people of Port Royal compare the disaster to that of Hurricane Charlie which devastated the island in 1951.

Too much water

A slogan we hear from time to time is 'Water is Life' and it was this same water that almost took the lives of several residents on Henry Morgan Boulevard when the hurricane struck. One resident, Peter Limtom, tells of the survival technique he had to employ when he had to swim out of his house with his six-year-old son, Giovanni, after the water reached approximately four feet high.

Speaking with other residents, they seem to have concluded that the flood was expected but not to the extent that they experienced it. They pointed out that there was flooding as a result of an improper drainage system and, as it rained, the sewers overflowed into the stormy waters and diverted into their homes.

Pearl Lord, who was wheelchair mobile, said her husband had to secure her to the bed.

Strolling along, one could see clothes and furniture littering the yards as they had been put out by residents to dry. Many were bailing out water.

No water

Men, women, children of all ages came out into to the main square by the St. Peter's Church as they received news that a water truck had come to the rescue. People grabbed for any container they could find. Some walked, two to a pail in hand or on their heads; others transported the water using their bicycles. One man made use of a baby stroller. Many were excited, even though the water was not palatable, while some cursed because of the time it took to arrive on the forgotten island.

The aftermath of Hurricane Dean was clear as one could view the pile-up of silt and see the host of garbage that delivered a stench so rich in the area.

The wrath of Hurricane Dean had no respect for the old hospital that withstood history and many decades of hurricanes as it took off with parts of the retaining walls as though they were paper.

peta-gaye.clachar@gleanerjm.com

Residents of Port Royal are relieved to get water from a truck which came to make deliveries two days after the passage of Hurricane Dean. - Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Twelve-year-old Christopher Plummer puts his clothes out to dry after Hurricane Dean flooded his home with high water in Port Royal.