WATCH: Manchester, St Elizabeth residents picking up the pieces
Manchester and St Elizabeth residents were out early Wednesday to examine the trail of devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa.
Debris, downed trees and fallen powerlines were scattered along the roadway when Observer Online visited the communities, but residents were already working to clear the way for vehicular traffic.
There was evidence of significant flooding with some roadways still flooded.
Some St Elizabeth homes are still completely surrounded by water effectively marooning residents.
One resident of the Wilton community near Santa Cruz told Observer Online that he had to swim to reach the main road.
Another resident, Cornell Williams, whose roof is gone and his belongings submerged, described Hurricane Melissa as “the worst storm I’ve ever seen, worse than Gilbert”.
The devastation left behind in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
