West End resident Juliette Smith speaks with Nassau Guardian reporter Jayme Pinder. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)

Over 50 years ago, Juliette Smith played in her home in West End, Grand Bahama, across the street from what she believed was one of the most beautiful sites in the world -- the ocean.

Last week, Hurricane Matthew destroyed the home.

On Wednesday, many residents sat silently in front of what is left of their homes, businesses and other buildings.

"This is the most devastating thing that I have seen in my 68 years of my life," Smith said.

With teary eyes, she looked up at the home that had been standing for half a century.

"I have seen more than one storm hit West End," she said

"I live in Freeport now, but when I came down the day after, I mean the pain just rose up in me.

"I felt like my home could never go back to where it was when I was a child.

"It was built by my mother. It is over 50 years old. I don't know what I will do."

Smith said her house survived hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2014. But Matthew left the house without a roof. It flooded and was filled with debris.

Smith said she was hurt to see her home in such a state, but to see dozens of homes in shambles broke her heart entirely.

For about a mile, every home in sight had some sort of damage. Some were without roofs and others without walls. Homes and businesses are separated from the ocean only by a small road and a little wall.

Jamal and Raquel Thompson's home was among those destroyed.

While they did not say much, Mrs. Thompson's tears told the story.

"This used to be her parents' home," her husband said.
He works as a fisherman while she stays home.

"She grew up here with her brothers," he explained. "When we got married, we didn't have a place to say and so we moved here. She loved this house as old as it is. She hasn't stopped crying."

His wife added, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I know I have life, but everything we had is gone.

"My dad left that house for me and all of his memories are in there.

"All of his pictures and some of his clothes are now ..."

She stopped and walked away.

Mr. Thompson tried to console his pregnant wife.

He said they have been living in a small hotel while they try to figure out their next move.

With six months left before their baby arrives, Mr. Thompson indicated he feels stressed.

"This is our first little one," he said. "And she wanted it to grow up where she did. But I guess God had other plans."

Along the same road, a pastor and several members removed the church's rugs from the building.

He said the water rushed directly into the church and flooded all of the furniture.

The church was empty and requires much renovation. But the pastor remained in good spirits.

Other residents huddled with family members and friends outside of their fallen homes.

Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie and Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit toured West End on Wednesday.

Skerrit said his heart goes out to the people of The Bahamas.

He described West End as "devastating".

Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter

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