IN THIS BLOG, I share my personal connection with the beautiful Caribbean islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the first two being where my parents originated; Saint Andrew and Petitie Carenage respectively.
NO CHILD OF MY GENERATION with parents from the Spice islands would not have been told of what their parents went through when Hurricane Janet hit the islands in 1955. From the year 2000 I visited Grenada annually for 5 to 6 weeks at a time. Therefore, in 2004 I, personally, witnessed the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan and, in 2005, that caused by Hurricane Emily.
BOTH were Category 3 storms. You can therefore imagine – or may be none of us truly can unless experienced it – the impact Hurricane Beryl had on Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique on 1 July 2024, which was a Category 4 to 5. It has severely affected and damaged the islands, particularly Carriacou.
HOWEVER, Spice islanders have resilience and big hearts, and shall get through this. I am confident about that. As I write this piece Jamaica is bracing itself for the impending impact of Beryl. It has already caused devastation to other islands, including my adopted St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
DUE TO OTHER MATTERS occurring at the time such as UK Election, French Election, US Presidential Campaign, the destruction and impact of Beryl have not quite got the attention and airtime it should. Fortunately, many of us do know and are playing our parts accordingly. Personally, I am still to hear from family members currently living in Carriacou.
Ryan Clement
Ryan Clement 