Trinidadian-born, New York State Assembly Member Jaime Williams and her 12-member contingent have described as “horrific” the severe damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl, as they saw first-hand the ravages of the Category 4 storm on Carriacou, the larger of Grenada’s two sister isles. The other is Petite Martinique.
A few weeks ago, Hurricane Beryl descended on the Southern Atlantic, with winds upwards of 150 mph, obliterating Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as ravaging the southern St. Vincent Grenadine islands of Union Island, Canouan, Mayreau and Palm Island.
Severe damage was also caused to parts of mainland St. Vincent, the northern parts of Grenada, as well as St. Lucia and rural parishes in Jamaica.
With communication lines severed, no power and limited access to vital resources, Williams, who represents the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life exclusively on Thursday that these countries were “in dire need of support.”
“From downed powerlines to the complete destruction of the utility infrastructure, the damage to these countries cannot be overstated,” said Williams, who led the contingent that also toured the northern parts of Grenada during their week-long visit, completed on Sunday, focusing primarily on Carriacou.
Williams, chair of the New York State Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness, said the purpose of the tour was “to assess needs and provide humanitarian aid to some of the people most impacted by Hurricane Beryl’s fury.”
As Carriacou has no international airport, she said the contingent first flew to Grenada, where members met with Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade, and visited NaDMA (National Disaster Management Agency), delivering relief supplies.
On the ground, Williams said the group’s first stop was in the parish of St. Patrick, on Grenada’s northern coast, which was impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
She said relief supplies were also taken to the Richmond Home Geriatric Facility in St. George’s, Grenada’s capital, where some Carriacou evacuees, with medical needs and no alternative living arrangements, currently reside.
On approaching Carriacou, Assemblywoman Williams said tears enveloped her eyes.
“The port was severely damaged; boats tumbled on top of each other like weeds; homes totally annihilated by Hurricane Beryl; and clothing, debris, galvanized roofing and trees littered the streets,” she said. “Much of the island is still without electricity or portable drinking water. The roads were also damaged, with electrical wires hanging everywhere.
“The people of Carriacou are doing their best to cope with picking up the pieces, as they canvass the rebuilding, which will require hundreds of millions of dollars to restore,” she added.
While distributing relief supplies, Williams said the contingent met with local representative, Tevin Andrews, “who offered his sincere gratitude to the team.”
The assemblywoman said over 1,500 lbs. of emergency relief supplies were distributed to “those very grateful and appreciative residents” in the communities and shelters, including Hillsborough, L’Esterre, Belaire, Mount Pleasant, Dover and Bellevue.
“I appreciate my colleague, New York State Assemblywoman Jaime Williams, for organizing the Hurricane Beryl Relief trip to Grenada and Carriacou in a quick turnaround time, along with Jennifer Horsford and about a dozen community stakeholders from Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc.; Brooklyn Canarsie Lions; Visit Canarsie; Newton Foundation, Inc.; and East Flatbush Village, Inc.,” Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, representative for the adjacent 58th Assembly District, also told Caribbean Life, who was part of the relief contingent.
“As we distributed a few hundred essential items from toothpaste to flashlights, and even crayons and books, we were grateful to see the smiles and gleam of hope, especially from the children,” added the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants. “This trip was definitely impactful. The outpouring love and unity shared on these islands is admirable and definitely was amazing to experience.
“Even in the destruction, you can still see the beauty of the island,” Chandler-Waterman continued. “I appreciate the Government of Grenada for their hospitality. I look forward to continued efforts to support all the impacted islands from Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Union Island, Bequia, Jamaica and Barbados.
“’It is not an I thing but a WE ting,’” she said, using her much-familiar mantra. “There is strength in unity.”
Dr. Judy Newton, the Barbadian-born founder and president of the Brooklyn-based Newton Foundation, Inc., described the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl as “destruction, carnage”.
“Imagine stepping into these forms of mayhem after leaving a calm Brooklyn,” she told Caribbean Life. “Winding through the streets of northern Grenada, witnessing destruction from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, scenes were surreal.
“Houses were blown off their foundations; tarpaulins were draped over houses that withstood the hurricane force; giant bamboo structures buckled like petunias; evidence of mudslides along hills and ravines were present; and mostly listening to epic stories as told by villagers was difficult to comprehend,” she added.
Dr. Newton said that boarding on an overcrowded ferry, the Osprey, with Assemblywomen Williams and Chandler-Waterman, heading to Carriacou, “did not prepare us for the carnage, after disembarking the ferry and riding on top of a lorry.
“Houses were destroyed; churches; schools; hotels; buildings; structures were obliterated,” she said. “A surreal scene existed, as if we were living in a twilight zone. The lorry driver explained that crying and whistling sounds permeated the air. That’s when I thought tornado and realizing the absence of vegetation. Everything was brown in color, trees were uprooted, and leaves were scorched brown.”
Micheal Vincent, president of the Brooklyn-based Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc., said he was “extremely honored to be part of a team led by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams.
“Her tireless dedication, compassion and leadership were on full display, as she worked to bring relief and support to the affected areas,” he said. “The devastation left in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl is hard to fathom.
“However, amidst the wreckage, the resilience and spirit of the people of Carriacou remain strong,” added Vincent, stating that “rebuilding this beautiful island will require a sustained concerted effort from both local and international communities.
“Infrastructure, homes and restoration of essential services need to be re-established,” he continued. “The Grenada Cultural Festival Group will do what it can to help Carriacou and its people rise again.”
As a member of staff in the Office of Sen. Roxanne Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, and as someone who lived through the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan, Emily and Sandy, Grenadian-born Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford said she has “first-hand experience with the immense challenges of hurricane recovery.”
Viechweg-Horsford also said she had worked directly with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts – “ challenging yet crucial endeavor.”
“Together, with my co-founder of LEAD N’ INTL, Narsha Campbell, we felt a profound responsibility to provide as much support as possible, even when our mission was organized on short notice,” she said. “Traveling to Grenada, St. Patrick’s, and Carriacou to lend a helping hand was one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life. The heat was no deterrent.
“Fresh from graduating from a wellness class with Breathe for Change, it was truly an honor to spring into action and assist the government not only with distribution but also in bringing hope to those affected by offering on-the-ground support,” Viechweg-Horsford added.
“On behalf of the members of Leaders Engaging in All-Round Development (LEAD N’ INTL), I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Assemblymember Jaime Williams and everyone who contributed to our efforts,” she continued. “Your support was crucial in providing much-needed assistance to those in distress. “As a climate justice activist, I urge our leaders to return to the drawing board and take decisive action to protect our planet. The time to act is now, and we must all work together to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.”
Calvin Sennon, the Trinidadian-born president of Visit Canarsie and co-owner of TriniJam Bk Restaurant on Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie, Brooklyn, said it was “indeed inspiring to witness the resilience of people in the face of natural disasters like the hurricane.
“The strength and determination shown by the communities as they rebuild and recover from such a devastating event is truly remarkable,” he said. “It’s important to come together, support one another, and work towards rebuilding and creating a better future. Latoya (his Jamaican-born wife and co-owner of TriniJam Bk) and I were humbled and honored for the experience.”
Jean Joseph, president of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club thanked Williams for giving her “the opportunity to witness firsthand the devastating loss of the island of Carriacou.
“Ninety percent of the island was flattened by Hurricane Beryl,” said the certified public accountant. “We were happy to assist the people of Carriacou with vital aid and supplies.”
Williams said she was “particularly grateful to the Jet Blue Corporation for their extremely generous donation”, and was also thankful to the LEAD’N; Newton Foundation; Visit Canarsie; TriniJam Bk Roti Bar & Grill; Cops Helping Cops; Grenada Cultural Association; Phileo Outreach International Ministries; Our Lady of Charity R.C. Church; Ladies Aux. Court 229- Knights of Peter Claver; Brooklyn Jefferson Lions International; and the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions International.
Williams said her office, located at 5318 Avenue N in Canarsie, along with Sen. Persaud’s, has been “serving as a collection point for relief supplies.”
She disclosed that her team will be returning to Grenada, “boots on the ground, to distribute additional supplies to the hospital of Carriacou and with a focus this time in Petite Martinique.”
The assemblywoman said she is also working with local community groups “to try to secure some of the other pressing needs.”
