MATT Long of Ross-on-Wye was part of a national team of volunteer arborists sent to help the Grenadian island of Carriacou, which was devasted by a category four hurricane at the beginning of July.

Hurricane Beryl claimed 50 lives in its path from the Caribbean to America’s Gulf Coast and broke meteorological records for its unusual location, intensity, and longevity. It left a path of destruction in its wake.

Matt, who runs Chapel Tree Services in Ross was part of the second team deployed out to the island by the Disaster Arborist Response team (DART).

It is the second time Matt has represented the response team having deployed to the Caribbean island of Dominica in 2017 after hurricanes destroyed much of the island.

Matt said: “It is just unthinkable for us that a storm of such magnitude can hit and just wipe out homes, power, infrastructure and displace hundreds of people.

“We were so pleased to be able to help, working alongside the Caribbean Defence Relief Training Unit to clear roads, homes and infrastructure.”

As well as clearing trees to start the rescue and recovery process, DART teams also trained the local defence training unit in chainsaw handling and maintenance to create capacity across the Caribbean if this happens again.

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ARBORISTS: Matt Long, pictured right with teammate Al, a volunteer arborist from Scotland, left. (Submitted)

DART operations director Andy Macpherson said: “Being able to play even a small part in the clear-up and recovery on the island is a great honour.”

“Storms devastate lives and a huge part of this is fallen trees which can disrupt power, communication and transportation links thereby hampering other aid agencies in delivering vital food, water and shelter.”

“Our teams worked alongside local disaster management agencies to share skills and knowledge, building resilience and leaving a lasting legacy.”

DART is a charity that sends qualified arborists to disaster zones to support local communities.

DART is entirely made up of volunteers and operates solely from funds raised, supported by the Arboricultural Association, Stein and Airlink. For more information or to donate to future missions go to dartinternationaluk.org.