CLIFFORD “Buto” Bennett had basically done all he could, in terms of preparation, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Beryl last Wednesday. But about 5:00 pm, as he lay in bed in his small house at 33 Potters Row in Rae Town, listening to the storm’s heavy wind and rain pummelling the capital city, Bennett got the scare of his life.

“I just feel the ground a vibrate, then mi see the house a rock,” he told the Jamaica Observer last Thursday.

After that he heard a crashing sound, then realised that a tree close by had succumbed to Beryl’s onslaught and fell into his wooden and zinc house.

“I had to crawl out,” Bennett said, demonstrating the movement on his hands and knees.

Instinctively he reached for a plastic sheet to protect himself from the rain but a neighbour in the yard, who had witnessed his misfortune, gave him shelter.

“Everything in deh mash up,” he said, pointing to the leaning house that looked as if it was about to collapse.

“That tree is a duppy cherry tree. Mi born come see it and me a 63 [years old]. Only black bird I see pitch pon it and eat from it,” he told the Observer, pointing to the very small green fruits on the tree.

Bennett said he had no problem paying someone to cut the tree but he’s worried that anyone attempting to do so may be at risk of the house falling on them.

Until he can come up with a solution he will be staying with neighbours. Those, though, don’t include his daughter Trishana Bennett and her grandmother Sharon Anderson, whose apartment on the property also suffered rain damage.

They, along with the other residents at the property, are appealing to the local authorities for help.

The building at the front of 33 Potters Row in Rae Town where residents suffered hurricane damage and are appealing for help.