By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Staff Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FIVE years after Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, many communities are still struggling to recover, though some have seen significant progress.

On Saturday, The Tribune visited Pelican Point, where St Matthew’s Baptist Church and 16 homes have been rebuilt.

“We just need one more house, and then all the structures will be restored,” said Daniel Bain, the local government deputy chief councillor.

While other areas continue to grapple with home repairs, Mr Bain highlighted Pelican Point’s progress, attributing it to community collaboration and support from NGOs.

“That is how we did it, and so we are further along than all the other communities, and everyone is now back home,” he said.

Pelican Point, like most East End communities, was severely impacted by storm surges from both the north and south shores during Dorian. The historic century-old church, a community landmark, was destroyed but has since been rebuilt, symbolising hope and resilience.

Nonetheless, on the fifth anniversary, the trauma of Dorian still lingers for many residents.

“It brings back fresh memories of the tragedy,” Mr Bain said. “I have witnessed many hurricanes, but I have never experienced one like this. It was a traumatic experience, and I pray we don’t have another storm like that again.”

Mr Bain and his brother-in-law survived the hurricane by taking refuge in the rafters of his ceiling in a home near the Jack Hayward Bridge. They constructed makeshift rafts and brought tools, food, and water with them.

Mr Bain credits his faith in God for giving him the strength and optimism to endure the ordeal.

Further east in Rocky Creek, progress has been minimal, and families are still living in dire conditions. Judymae Feaster and her family remain in a temporary wooden structure covered only with felt, raising concerns about its safety.

“If the wind blows, it shakes. I am really concerned because we are in hurricane season,” she said.

Mrs Feaster, who lost her job after Deep Water Cay closed following the hurricane, is the primary caregiver for her elderly, disabled mother and a child with Down syndrome. Her husband, a fisherman, and her own small business of selling pastries barely cover their basic needs.

“The light bill is killing us, and we don’t have much in the house. But if you don’t pay the bill, they turn it off. It’s really tough, especially when you have to care for two disabled people,” she said.

She feels that Rocky Creek has been overlooked in terms of home repair assistance.

“When we got home, I was heartbroken. The only thing I saw was the foundation and a toilet — everything was gone. But the most important thing is that I thank God for life. We are still waiting for help to rebuild our home. It seems like they helped people in McLean’s Town, Pelican Point, and other settlements, but passed us by,” she added.

In McLean’s Town, there has been more progress. Many homes and businesses have been restored, and a new school has been built. On Saturday, finishing touches were being added to the landscaping in preparation for the school reopening this week. For the past five years, children from East End and Sweeting’s Cay had to travel to Freeport for school.

A memorial monument in McLean’s Town serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic deaths of the Thomas family — five members who were swept out to sea. In High Rock and Freetown, monuments commemorate the 19 people who lost their lives, 17 of whom were from High Rock.

High Rock, which has the highest elevation among East End settlements, was devastated by a 20-25ft storm surge during Dorian. Rebuilding has been slow, and the seawall has yet to be restored.

Joshua Cooper, a High Rock resident, is still shaken by the loss of so many from his community.

“Right now, I feel a little shaken up because I lost many family members. It was a tragedy, and I never want it to happen again,” he said.

Mr Cooper, who helps with community beautification, said residents need to come together to restore the area. His home was destroyed, and he is temporarily living in a small building he converted from a former snack store. “People need to help each other to get more accomplished,” he said. “Homes are still in need of repair; it’s been five years.”

Kenneth Rolle, who lives on the main highway towards Bevans Town, is also still struggling with repairs. “It’s been hard, and I got no help. I did everything by myself. My roof is on, and my windows are in,” he said. “I hope we don’t have any storms so we can finish rebuilding. We don’t want to go through another Dorian.”

Mr Rolle also lost his brother, Clarence Jones, a former school principal in East End. “We tried to get him to leave, but he thought it wasn’t going to be as bad. He didn’t make it, and Rosi (Roswell) Pinder and his whole family didn’t either,” he recalled.

Mr Rolle hopes to complete his home soon. “I am saving, and I hope by Christmas all the doors will be in, and next year I will hopefully be done. In the meantime, we are praying that nothing comes,” he said.

Didier Rolle, another survivor, lost his home in the Over the Bridge/Dover Sound area. After settling with the insurance company, he moved further inland and bought a new home. He has learned to appreciate life more.

“Dorian shed light on how important life is,” he said, empathising with those who lost loved ones. “I believe that the suffering we endure has a purpose. It brings us closer to God, challenges our faith, and makes us stronger.”

Like many others, Mr Rolle survived by taking refuge in the rafters of his ceiling. His father and cousin, who were a block away, also survived by sheltering in their ceilings.

“I just called on the Lord and never shouted so loudly. The house was shaking and cracking, and the waves were hitting against it. In that moment, I never felt so close to dying. But I am here and can share where God has brought me from with others,” he said.

Dorian, one of the strongest storms in the country’s history, made landfall in Abaco on September 1 before heading to Grand Bahama, where it lingered for nearly two days. The storm was declared a national disaster, causing $3.4 billion in damage and claiming about 70 lives.