THE OFFICE of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), has warned that scores of residents in St. Elizabeth and Manchester remain at risk from rising flood waters, the effect of heavy rains early this year.
ODPEM, in a statement issued yesterday, said it had been advised that the "rate of flooding and ponding in Manchester continues to rise". The statement followed a multi-agency meeting on Tuesday, which included members of the Parish Disaster Committees, utility companies and non-governmental organisations.
In areas such as Porus, Redberry, and Harmons, the water is rising as much as a foot per week and the Water Resources Authority (WRA) estimates that these areas will remain inundated for another 130 days.
In the Newmarket area of St. Elizabeth, the WRA has estimated that the water levels have peaked and the flood levels are 10-15 feet below the 1979 flood levels which forced the evacuation of the town. "This water is expected to take approximately seven months to recede based on the history of the 1979 floods," the ODPEM statement said. Parts of Newmarket remained under up to 90 feet of water for several months following the 1979 flood rains.
Up to Tuesday, fewer than 100 persons remained in shelters in the New River area of St. Elizabeth. With flood waters receding rapidly in this area, ODPEM anticipates that these shelters will be closed by next week.
Although 14 households in the Harmons and Redberry areas of Manchester have been forced to relocate, none are staying in shelters. Up to 70 households in these communities could be affected, depending on the extent of the flooding.
In the meantime, the parish welfare teams, including health personnel, will continue to make weekly visits to the affected areas. Additionally, the WRA will continue to monitor the water levels and set up water quality monitoring systems, affected persons will continue to receive food packages in the New River area. Rental assistance is being provided in Manchester.
