Former New Bedford Resident Discusses Matthew’s Impact

Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti Tuesday morning causing devastation across the island nation.

Former New Bedford resident Rose Basile recently flew out of the city of Les Caye just before Matthew arrived.

She told WBSM's Barry Richard that she has been trying to get in touch with family members still living there but that the storm has damaged much of the infrastructure making communications difficult.

"We don't have any electricity, and some digital antennas are down, and it's hard to get communication with them," said Basile.

However, Basile has gotten reports of flooded streets and mudslides, a situation that was made even worse by a lack of vegetation.

"We have deforestation over here for years, and that's what's happens when you cut those trees and people find mud everywhere they walk," said Basile "and when it's raining we have slides of dirt everywhere."

In the aftermath of the storm Basile said that some items will be desperately needed.

"We need first aid, and we need canned goods, and we really need mattresses because the shelter doesn't have mattresses and we have kids over there," said Basile "and we need water and we need a lot of stuff."

Basile says that any relief efforts are on hold until government officials can get a full assessment of the damage.