Heavy winds rip through La Parfaite Harmonie homes

Based on information received, gale force winds suddenly descended on the community of Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara on Tuesday at about 10:30h; and after nearly 15 minutes of a sustained squall, several residents were left without roofs over their heads, at least seven houses were destroyed, one building had even collapsed under the pressure of sustained high-intensity winds, and there was massive damage to properties in the aftermath of this incident.

A neighbour is seen assisting a resident who had her roof blown off and home damaged by the high-intensity wind

Guyana Times visited the community and observed that a number of persons were assisting affected home owners to repair their roofs, while others were observed gathering zinc sheets which had been dispersed along the streets.
One of the villagers, Ursula Evans, recalled the horrific incident. “There was a squall (at) about 10:30 this morning; and then it moved to the back, rip off the roof, and it go right away round through this man house! This was a high house, and it drop to the ground, and the man’s zinc raise up. It’s like about ten or fifteen more to the back so, and just these three here. Nobody was injured, because they even pick up zinc in the middle of the road deh. That swirl go round and come back round and knock the lantern post!” she stated.

This house located a short distance away from one of the houses that collapsed after the heavy winds

Another home owner, who identified herself as Cooja, said she lost almost her entire roof by the disastrous winds, which also dislodged electrical wires. She explained that she is now contemplating her next move, since she is not financially stable at the moment to have the damages to her home repaired.
“I was approaching the back door to close it when I saw…I don’t know if it was leaves, but I looked down the road and I say, ‘Man, this is not leaves!’ By that time the children hustle come inside. I look back again and I see zinc floating in the air!” Cooja detailed.
With everyone in the house, Cooja said, she made sure that everyone was hidden under the beds, as she expected the worst.

Another house which was completely destroyed by the winds

“I say, ‘This is more than just a normal breeze!’ and I start hollering for, ‘The Blood of Jesus!’ Then I heard a noise, and the whole zinc start to rip off from the top! Everything just went bizarre. The blinds, if you come in, you will see everything tear down. The electricity, everything in a disaster… This is going to affect me terrible, because we don’t have money right now,” the devastated Cooja related.
She told Guyana Times this is the second time in four years that an incident of this nature had occurred in the community, but this time around it has been much worse.
Meanwhile, no one has been reported injured, but the residents are calling for some assistance in getting their lives back to normalcy. (Yanalla Dalrymple)