As the effects of this morning’s tragedy become clearer, residents in the Layou Valley are finding that the prospect of getting back to normal is still quite a way off.
The flood waters have mostly receded, revealing the fact that a significant portion of the roadway, towards the Glo Chaud Bridge, remains covered under piles of sand, measuring inches in some cases and over three feet in others.
DNO met with some of the residents, one of whom, Peter Daniel, said that the thought of the cleanup is not yet of concern but that he was just happy to be alive.
“It started at about 12 o’clock (mid-night) and when I heard the noise, I said it couldn’t be the river, so I took my flashlight and took a look outside. I kept checking in case the river took the house, I would know when to make an escape. Everything downstairs got destroyed. I had a garage, there was a pick-up in it, it took the garage and the van. As for the cleanup, I’m not even thinking about that now. I’m just happy I still have my life,” Daniel said.
Another resident describes similar conditions at the beginning of the incident, but unfortunately, while he sought to assist other families, who were perhaps in more desperate situations, lost his fishing boat, along with a few nets.
An assessment of the total damage is yet to be released from the agencies responsible.
alot of dominican praise the prime minister as he is god no he is not he is a person just like any one esle please put the heavenly father first and mankind next
have we realise that god is in control and all lives were spared..ppl just reflect on something,have you notice the time the dam burst wen practically nobody was using the road on the resident of de area dat was affected. now just imagine if it was day time wen ppl cross dat bridge by de hot water..the ppl that work in the agriculture section by the river and so many ppl use that road during de day time. for sure live would definately be lost and we just blaming ppl and things for that mishap..ppl plz remember wateva happen god is in control cuz he could have caused it in de time wen alot of ppl could be catch off guard.so plz say a prayer thanking him for his mercys
i love what truth”love have written it is so true. in life prayer does it all.we Dominican should come together and pray. God have never fail us things happen due to our cause not God cause. jah never fail. we should thanks the almighty father that no life was taken.
Twice Matthieu came like a thief in the night PUN INTENDED. The first major flood on 21st November 1997 happened overnight. Now the third, BNOw the collapse of the dam (or the plug) and the resulting flooding happened from maybe minutes before midnight. The water would take some time to reach the village.
couple weeks ago someone posted a photo of the layou river mouth and comented on the condition of our rivers i in reply to that comment i said do not underestimate water it always finds its original route and that river always cause people in layou pains let these giants sleep do not pray for them unless you have reinforce walls built in certain areas they are not niece when they overflow there banks
God is good always and he is merciful! He is a God of abundance of life. We have to give him thanks for the bad times and the good times, we can’t forget his benefits.
This could of been worst, especially people river rafting or in their gardens. God looks out for his children, we are the ones who do not look out for him and obey his laws.
The village of Layou should be evacuated and condemned, cause i believe something bigger will happen in the future. When i look at the constant flow of sand in the river, where is that coming from?The people of Layou needs to be relocated. If the government would make a business with that sand instead of giving it away, we would not be asking for help from other places. America is having it’s own problems, the old people are having anxiety about their SS checks flowing, so don’t be looking to the US for help.
Jah live
Greetings to all Dominicans and to all who call nature
Island home! May the guiding hand of God continue to
Guide and protest all of us. I know that now is time to
Make lemonade of our lemons.
PLEASE “Leaders! Do not give the sand away. Sell it
To all who need sand, and use the proceeds to help
Stabilize the infrastructure of the Island.
I LOVE ALL DOMINICANS AND WISH YOU GOD”S BLESSINGS CONTINUALLY.
shame on this government, they are patting there self on the back for a job well done, but I wonder where they were when all the warning signs were there.
We didn’t have a dry season this year, this would tell them that the dam would be swollen and would burst during the hurricane season, but they stayed there and did nothing. Shame on them, it’s only by God’s will no one died during the flood.
….. & super genius i have not heard what should they do, build a wall? blast the dam ? what should they do ?. Am suprise Dominica is not the most advance nation on earth, why ? check Dominica news online, the talk show, the street corners you hear all what should be done or not done. Yet still,..
where is the skilled works ? where is the quailty service need ? oh yes, it’s PM fault.
May the Lord continue to extend his protection, grace and mercy in this situation and beyond.
UK
The end is near……………
time to change your user name then…..
I know how hard it is to lose almost everything you may have worked so hard to possess, but the Lord giveth and he takes away. All the praises to the Lord Almighty that no lives were lost, and what you lose is only material things. Whats important is life.
u can not prevent natural disaster so stop saying it is a shame, things happen and there is nothing that we can do about it,so we just have to hold our head high and move on.as long as we have life we should be able to move on.
first of all thanks god that no life was taken.in time like that we have to come together to help each other.my prayer are with everyone,good luck in rebuilding back.
thank GOD for life, life can’t be replace but things can
Thank God no lives were lost during this disaster. God takes care of his own. Layou people you have so much to be thankful for. The road to recovery may be slow but hang in there God’s got your back.
Much Love to you all.
PRAYIN FOR U GUYS GOD WIL TAKE CARE OF U
Thank you Lord for saving so many lives in this disaster. Let us pray for Daniel and the many others who have suffered loss but as Daniel has said he is thankful to be alive and so we are thankful Lord for your intervening hands over our people in Layou. Thank you Lord!
The Lord reigns and he is King!
Where there is life, there is hope. Daniel and all the others we continue to pray for you!
This is so sad, please don’t give up, have faith, god is in control.
Just want to say keep the faith, god is good
sir God has a purpose for u and if u have not made him lord of your life do that today , its all because of his grace n mercy u are there still. Find a bibble beleiving church n worship your maker
I am sorry that such a disaster occurred. Thank God that lives were not lost. Material objects can always be replaced.
We are surprised when disaster occurs. If we read the newspapers and view the news on TV we will know that the entire world experiences all sorts of disasters when they are least expected which are too numerous to mention. Consider them as well.
Toronto had a 5.0 earthquake last June 2010. I have not forgotten it. It scared me. I am praying that we do not get another one and a worst one.
The U.S. and also some parts of Canada had forest fires, floods and tornadoes. People lost thousands of dollars as their homes.
Consider Japan, Haiti and elsewhere in the world.
The world is not a safe place and as it progresses, new systems are constructed, anything could happen. Therefore we will experience disasters. We cannot take anything for granted.
God knows why and He has the answer. Too often we do not pray to God to ask him for his enlightenment, guidance and protection, day and night.
The following i a prayer which I remember from childhood. Some of you may remember it:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
In my little bed I lie
Heavenly Father hear my cry
Lord protect me through the night
Bring me safe to morning’s light. Amen!
Another one:
Angel of God, my guardian dear
To Whom His love commits me here
Ever this day/night be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
There is also the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Catholic Christians should also know this one since we learnt it from childhood. I have not forgotten them.
Most importantly the Our Father which Our Dear Blessed Lord Jesus Christ taught us.
As we wend our way through life, morning, day and night we must constantly keep God in mind and ask Him to protect us. He expects this of us.
I am familiar with Layou. I used to bathe at Glo Chaud and have not forgotten it. I enjoyed some great picnics there.
I loved viewing the Layou River while driving by. It is so picturesque. My love for water stemmed from specifically viewing the Layou River. Whenever I see a lake/
water, my mind immediately reverts to this river of all. I do hope this area will be re-constructed.
God bless and assist especially the people of Layou who are affected by this disaster. My prayers are with you. Everything takes time. Have patience! In time you will return, back to normal.
Let us pray consistently for Dominica and of course its nationals.
keep the faith thank the Almighty for live
Mama i glad yall were not hurt.. this is scary business
thanks god no one did not died
jah was guiding u …keep ur high spirt man
Good is good
my heart goes out to you all,to all the rounders ladies the warner rounders team our prayes are with you all
You are so right sir, thank God for life. He is in control
we just have to pray harder for the man above to hear us,thanks to him no one is hurt thanks to God.
i thank god it is not worst,may the lord continue to protect you all.one love and god bless.justline
LAYOU THE GOD OF JACOB N ISSAC WAS WATCHING LAST NITE GIVE THANKS
that’s a shame something like that happen only one comment?,that’s why i will say Dominicans are buy-ass. any way thank god everyone is safe
life…. that’s most important…
Yeah i like his spirits, dont lose faith my brother God never give us more than we can handle.
say thanks g
HOLD STRONG MY PEOPLE.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.THE LORD REIGNS.
Hearts out to you my Layou people. Thank God, for it could have been lot worse. I will keep you all in my prayers
The people of Layou are in our thoughts and prayers. Let’s be thankful it was not worse. Stay focused. May Gad grant us strength and discipline as we face the daunting task of rebuilding.
WAW!!!
