Samuel Flores lives in La Cuchilla with his parents and two brothers. When Hurricane Eta hit last month, Samuel initially stayed behind. Read his firsthand account of the storm, the evacuation, and his time at an H&H shelter. Your donation will help families like Samuel’s rebuild their homes and their lives in the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes.
Q: What was your experience with the first hurricane?
A: It started raining a lot on a Sunday. When the rain finally stopped on Thursday, we found out that the water was overflowing from the river. Thirty minutes after the river overflowed, our house was completely flooded. We tried to save what we could. We got the most important things out.
At 2 pm that day, we went to the community’s highest point, right by the chicken coop. The water level was up to our waist and even to our chest in certain areas. We had to stand firm because if we didn't, the water would drag us away.
Around 5 pm, men arrived from different communities near ours. We tried to help them with a rope so that they would be able to get to a safe area. Three senior citizens were shivering from cold and almost suffering from hypothermia. By 5-5:30 pm, there were about 30 people on that riverbank.
At 6 pm, we decided to climb on a mango tree because the water was up to our waist. The current was so strong that we believed that we might get washed away. People on the other side of the river bank yelled at us, asking for help. They wanted us to go there to help them, but we just couldn't. The water was so cold that we were scared that we would die there.
One thing I love to do is painting. All the paintings I had done before were lost in the flood because my house collapsed. But I was able to get a new sketchpad, pencils, and an eraser. I started drawing again, and I hope I can sell them and make a business from them.
— Samuel Flores
Q: How did you feel when you were in that mango tree?
A: I felt fear and insecurity, not just because of the water but also because of the animals in that tree. There were many big ants at the bottom of the tree, whose stings are just as powerful as a wasp sting. There were also scorpions. My dad was bitten by one when he held onto the tree.
What we feared the most was also falling asleep on the tree and falling. It would have been deadly if we fell. I was tied to the tree with a rope so I wouldn't fall.
Q: What happened next?
A: At 2 am, the water level decreased, so we got down from the mango tree. From 2 am to 9 am, we waited to be rescued. Boats couldn't go in the river because there was too much debris, so we were rescued with ropes.
Only four people were from La Cuchilla. The rest of the men were from neighboring communities. Another boat was waiting for us to bring us to Quebrada de Yoro, near Granja Dely. We were treated very well there -- they had baleadas, coffee, water, and everything we needed.
Q: What was it like arriving at the evacuation site, Granja Dely?
A: Arriving at Granja Dely was very joyful, as we were able to reunite with our family members. We were all so happy, and the treatment we received was the best. They had mattresses ready for us. I had only one outfit with me -- the shirt and the shorts I was wearing and my backpack, and everything was wet. When I got to Granja Dely, I was treated very well. I never lacked food, and I was able to sleep calmly that night.
Q: What is your biggest worry right now?
A: We are worried about our home. We have no idea where we will sleep [when we return], but there is a house that belongs to my uncle that didn't fall, so we can sleep there. What worries me the most is our home and the river banks, as they were completely destroyed, and just a small increase in the water levels can flood our community again.
Q: What is it like living in the shelter?
A: It's somewhat uncomfortable because we were used to our house. We would turn off the lights and go to bed peacefully -- no one else was there. Now, living close to so many people, you have to adapt to it to move on with life.
But thanks to God, here we are, and we can move forward. One thing I love to do is painting. All the paintings I had done before were lost in the flood because my house collapsed. But I was able to get a new sketchpad, pencils, and an eraser. I started drawing again, and I hope I can sell them and make a business from them. That is my short story.