- Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer
Sections of the Yallahs Bailey bridge were washed away in the heavy rains yesterday. The bridge was constructed in the latter part of 2002 at a cost of $16 million after flood rains associated with hurricanes Isidore and Lili destroyed a section of the Yallahs fording.
Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
ONE WEEK before the official start of the hurricane season, heavy rains lashed the island resulting in flooding and landslides in several parishes. Several major bridges were damaged and in some cases residents were forced to leave their homes due to rising water levels.
The police reported that at least one person was washed away and is feared dead.
According to the Meteorological Office, the weather pattern affecting the island is associated with a surface trough which has been moving across the region and continues to bring unstable conditions over its territorial waters.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue today and scattered showers and thunderstorms for the next two days.
Yesterday, the Trinityville police confirmed that 90-year-old Adolphus Gooden was washed away during heavy rains in Mt. Lebanus, St. Thomas. Reports are that he was crossing a walkway in the district, lost his balance and was washed away.
The 240-foot temporary Yal-lahs Bailey bridge was also constructed seven months ago at a cost of $16 million after the original bridge was destroyed during heavy rains associated with Hurricane Lili, was washed away.
In sections of Kingston and St. Andrew, water levels rose up to two feet. Along Maxfield Avenue some 900 metres of the roadway were covered for several hours, but despite this numerous boys were seen playing in the water.
Along Marcus Drive in the vicinity of the Tinson Pen aerodrome, it was a similar situation, where only very large units were able to cross the flooded roadway which spanned about 200 metres.
Along Waterloo Road in St. Andrew, water rose above the fording on to the surface of the road, posing a hazard to motorists and pedestrians. At the Cassia Park Gully, however, motorists obeyed the signs not to cross the flooded fording. The last tragedy occurred at that gully on April 5 this year when Pauline Gray, general manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, and St. Lucian consultant, Lawson Calderon, were washed away while attempting to cross the flooded gully.
Bridges in sections of St. Thomas, including Goldies and Heartease have been washed away while sections of the Trinityville main road were blocked by landslides.
In Clarendon, flooding has been reported in Rocky Point while sections of Mahoe Drive in St. Catherine have also been under water.
Extensive flooding have been reported in Portland in areas such as Mannings Avenue, Red Hassel main road, Anchovy, Prospect and Land Settlement.
