Project Update
As the massive storm system approached Grenada, residents boarded up windows, tied down their belongings, and took shelter. But no amount of preparation could remove their sense of alarm as the storm’s 150 mph winds roared and shook their houses. Trees thundered to the ground as remnants of swing sets, trash cans, and roof metal flew past.
Grenada, an island country in the southern Caribbean Sea, was struck by Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on July 1. The hurricane then continued across the Caribbean, causing further damage in Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, Texas, and other areas. At this time, CAM is focusing on the needs in Grenada.
Two CAM staff members visited Grenada to evaluate the needs. They reported some damage on the main island but found the greatest needs on Carriacou (KAIR-ee-ə-KOO), an island north of the mainland. About 80 percent of roofs on the island were blown off or heavily damaged. Rain poured into homes, soaking floors, furniture, and household items. Most of the 10,000 people on Carriacou get their water from roof rainwater collection systems which were destroyed along with the roofs, making water a major concern.
Hurricane terror
Randy and his wife were grieving the loss of his mother who had passed away several days before. As Hurricane Beryl’s winds howled, his wife and her son fought to keep their door from blowing in. But the wind overpowered them, blowing open the door and sending household items flying in every direction. The wind caught the refrigerator and scooted it along a hall. Still plugged in, it stopped when it reached the end of the cord. It stood blocking the doorway to the bedroom where Randy’s wife had gone to get her shoes. When her son unplugged it, the refrigerator flew into the bedroom, nearly pinning Randy’s wife against a wall. Everyone in the house rushed downstairs where it was safer.
Meanwhile, Randy’s elderly neighbor and his wife were hiding in their bathroom. They heard crashing and tearing noises as their walls and roof gave way to the wind. When the eye of the hurricane passed over, they stepped outside to discover only one room still standing—the bathroom where they had been hiding! They ran to a neighbor’s house to weather out the rest of the storm. When the hurricane had passed, the elderly couple stepped out to survey the damage. Their house was mostly flattened. Nearly all of their neighbors, including Randy, had no roof above their heads. The terror of what they had just experienced and the destruction around them was too much for the elderly neighbor man. He had a heart attack and died on the spot.
Cleanup underway
In this time of need, we have an opportunity to lend a helping hand to the people of Carriacou. CAM volunteer work groups are tarping roofs, cleaning out houses, and removing fallen trees. A conservative Anabaptist mission in Grenada is sending church brothers from the mainland, working alongside our cleanup groups, sharing the Gospel with their fellow Grenadians, and providing ongoing discipleship.
Updated August 20, 2024
If you would like to support the International Crisis Hurricane Beryl project, your funds will be used to facilitate the work of volunteer groups and reach out to the people of Carriacou. Our focus at this time is clean up, but if there is a major need for rebuilding, some funds may be used for building materials. Thank you, and God bless you!
