An LDS fisherman was among nearly 100 people killed when Hurricane Felix battered Nicaragua's Miskito Keys region Sept. 4 with 160 mph winds and a wall of rain.

Courtesy Central America Area

Nicaraguan members gather to collect provisions bound for Puerto Cabezas.

Jairo Ariel Kisman, 19, of the Puerto Cabezas Branch, Nicaragua Managua Mission, was reportedly fishing in the Miskito Keys off Nicaragua's eastern coastline when he was killed. No other Church members were harmed in the record-setting Category 5 storm, although many member homes in the coastal town of Puerto Cabezas were damaged by the powerful winds. Some 8,000 homes were destroyed throughout the country.

All of the missionaries from the Nicaragua Managua Mission who had been serving in the threatened areas were evacuated prior to the hurricane's arrival. Many from the Puerto Cabezas Branch sought shelter in the Church's rented meetinghouse. About 90 percent of that two-story building's shingles were lost in the storm, said Roberto Hernandez, the Church's director of temporal affairs for the Central America Area.

"The branch members were able to meet in the meetinghouse for (Sept. 8) Sabbath services," Brother Hernandez told the Church News. "There were some leaks, so the members held their meetings in the (ground) floor."

Although electricity had been restored to Puerto Cabezas, drinking water was still scarce at press time. Members were instructed to boil or purify water before drinking. Meanwhile, delivering food and other provisions to the isolated region had been initially challenging because land access was largely destroyed. At press time, surface transportation to the area was being restored, Brother Hernandez said.

The Church chartered two small planes to deliver food and other supplies to Puerto Cabezas a short time after Felix's unwelcome arrival.

"From the air we could see that the area was flooded around the town," Brother Hernandez said. "Many homes were without roofs. Some were completely destroyed."

Food and tools were distributed to local members, while other provisions were donated by the Church to government officials. Brother Hernandez said the air shipment provided the members with sufficient food until ground transportation into Puerto Cabezas could be restored.

Members in Puerto Cabezas are also going about the task of repairing homes. Local priesthood leaders requested a pair of chain saws to help clear away fallen trees from damaged member homes.

"As soon as we have safe transportation, we plan to send metal and other materials to help complete the repairs," Brother Hernandez said.

The long-term impact of Hurricane Felix for the Puerto Cabezas members is uncertain. Many there earn their living on the sea. It's likely that some lost boats and other fishing equipment.

Courtesy Central America Area

Damaged home typifies town's destruction.

Courtesy Central America Area

Crews at Puerto Cabezas airstrip unload emergency provisions provided by the Church. Church officials were forced to rely on air transportation because many of the roads and bridges leading into the town were damaged.

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