The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS in a northern New Providence coastline community expressed relief that the damage from Hurricane Matthew was not as extensive as initially feared.

A drive through of The Grove West saw knee-high flooding in some parts and many uprooted trees and power lines in others.

Cyril Ferguson said he left the area to stay with family as the category 4 storm passed over New Providence.

“I (only) drove by late yesterday (Thursday) to check on our house but there wasn’t any major damage. There’s a few branches blocking one end of the street (Croton Avenue) but that’s about it,” he said.

Nickelle Ward, said she had quite a scare during the storm. “I feel like I aged about 10 years after the wind blew away the plywood from my room. It was really scary,” she said.

However, she was thankful that there was no storm surge from Saunders Beach to add to the flooding from the rain.

“Having seen some of the images from what the storm did to the south coast, I think Grove West got pretty lucky that there wasn’t any storm surge on this side. I hope all works out for those families,” she added.

Tori Basden, who lives further in from the coast, said there was some flooding in his area “but not unexpected, ust plenty trees were blown down but not much else,” he said.

Alexander Sargeant, whose family has property in the area, said he was not surprised by the flooding “but it was not as bad as usual, just typical above ankle flooding.”