The Jamaica Star :: News :: 92-y-o escapes storm

Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

Fitzgerald Guscott makes his way on to the verandah of his neighbour's house for the interview. - ian allen

Ninety-two year-old Fitz-gerald Guscott is among the many residents of Broadgate, St Mary, who lost their homes to the raging Wag Water River that runs close to the community. The senior citizen, who barely escaped a watery death, is thankful to be alive.

Guscott, who sometimes needs the help of a walker and a wheelchair, lived alone in a house across the street from his in-laws, who provide for, and take care of him. He readily told THE STAR that if it had not been for relatives, he would have been swept away.

He told THE STAR: "If it wasn't for dat lady (his in-law), nobody would see me again. Her son haffi lift me up from up dere, because di water was on us. But God was on di job."

Linda Brighton is Guscott's main caretaker. She explained that the house he was living in belongs to her son, who left the island for a trip overseas just five weeks ago. The house he left, however, will not be the one he sees when he returns. The river, which had undermined the land, and with it, the foundation, also swept away a good portion of the house. The entire back section, including a bathroom, was completely destroyed, and a piece of a sofa that hung precariously from the crumbling structure was the only part of the living room that survived. Guscott's wheelchair also lay useless - trapped beneath crumbled walls and battered zinc.

Terrible breeze

Brighton said, "wi get some terrible breeze, man. An den wi get di rain after di breeze." As if to mock the residents, the river did not overflow its banks until the storm was over - when they thought everything was fine and they had seen the worst.

They were therefore caught by surprise.

While it was not the first time the river was creating havoc, no one, including Guscott, had ever seen such damage. Brighton said: "We went over his house to cook for him and we were there watching the river and den about 5:30 (Friday evening) di river jus start come up rapid. Mi call fi help same time fi dem help mi tek 'im out." They also managed to save some furniture, though the house was collapsing around them as they attempted to do so.

River dream

Guscott told THE STAR that he had dreamt about the river wreaking havoc long before the threat of Gustav. He said, "Mi dream see it, dat was before even di rain or breeze. I dreamt that I had to climb a big guango tree and dat I tek out one of my teeth an put it at the door. An mi nuh have no teeth, so I tell her dat something bad going happen."

Brighton's sister, Monica, spent her birthday, last Friday, moving furniture from her crumbling house. The floor throughout her entire house had massive cracks and the earth beneath her home is slowly slipping away. She is hoping that they will be relocated, as she is not convinced that what is left of her home will remain habitable for very long.

Elfreda Clarke, a 69-year-old diabetic, also lost her bathroom, tank and the back section of her house. She has lived in the area for 46 years and has never seen such destruction.

She lives with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and told THE STAR that since the storm she has been in a constant state of worry. "Mi lose bout 20 pounds since Thursday. Mi not even eat. Mi weak man, mi weak. From dat till now I don't know what I eat."

At least eight homes were lost or damaged during the storm, and the residents are understandably concerned about what is to come for the rest of the hurricane season, and how they will fare. The community has been without light since last Wednesday, forcing residents to stock up on batteries so they can keep abreast of current events and possible threats at sea.