Family of 7 from Fresh Pond Community Seeks Shelter

We headed over to the shelters in Burrell Boom where we spoke to a family of seven who left their home in the nearby Fresh Pond community seeking safety. Their arrival at the shelter was just prior to the upgrading of the storm to a hurricane. Fourteen year old Angie Cowo explains.

Angie Cowo, Resident, Burrell Boom

“Well I’ve never been in a hurricane shelter before. This is the first time so I feel nervous. And my father and mother getting prepared and stuff, but I am scared because I was wondering if my house is going to get flooded and that. Usually, they told us about hurricanes but I usually say I never been in a hurricane before so I did not worry about it. But now I am worried because my mom told me that it is no joke. So we started to prepare and get all the things we need: water, food and those things.”

Isani Cayetano

“The area that you guys live along the Hattieville/Boom Road, does it normally flood during regular rains or is it somewhere that you guys fear will flood because of the amount of rain that is due to come?”

Angie Cowo

Angie Cowo

“Well usually it gets flooded because when we used to go to school, it is hard because we couldn’t cross because it gets flood. So it gets flooded. When a little bit of rain comes, it still kinda floods out where we live and other places, the streets by where we are, it still gets rain.”

Isani Cayetano

“What time and how long have you guys been at the shelter? When did you guys decide to move from your home in Fresh Pond?”

Angie Cowo

“Three o’clock. We got prepared from two and then we came three o’clock here. So don’t know what time it is right now, but I know we are here for a long time.”

Isani Cayetano

“Do you believe as a family you guys have enough to eat and keep you prepared and suffice for the time that you are going to be here?”

Angie Cowo

“Yes, I think so because we brought enough stuff. Things to eat and things for the little ones.”