Adrian Frater and Rasbert Turner Gleaner ReportersTHE BOG Walk gorge in St. Catherine and the Yallahs fording in St. Thomas remained impassable last night, following heavy rains which blocked several roadways, cutting off communities and stranding several persons in flooded areas across Jamaica yesterday.
Late yesterday, the Meteorological Service upgraded the severe weather alert to a flash flood warning that was expected to remain in effect until 5:00 a.m. today.
VEHICLES WASHED AWAY
In reporting on the effects of yesterday's flooding, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised that some three motor vehicles were washed away in the vicinity of the Bog Walk gorge stranding 19 persons, including a sixteen-month-old child. All the persons were successfully hoisted on to a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) helicopter from the top of a trailer where they had moved to escape the flood waters.
According to Marcelene Edwards of Mandeville, Manchester, one of the persons rescued by the JDF Airwing, "I was travelling this morning when upon reaching a section of the road, I saw a car broke down before me; the next thing I know a strong gush of water overflowed the banks of the Rio Cobre and swept the vehicle unto the side of the road."
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
A visibly shaken Mrs. Edward said she hurried from the vehicle along with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson who were from England. The Gleaner observed several of the persons rescued hugging love ones, declaring that it is a miracle.
Meanwhile, several families in southern Trelawny were left marooned in their homes as flood waters, boulders and debris associated with the heavy rains marooned several communities as landslides and flood waters left numerous roads blocked.
The worst-hit areas include Jackson Town, where several homes and buildings such as the post office and revenue department, were flooded out. In Mahogany Hall, many families were trapped in their homes by flood waters. The road network between south Trelawny and Manchester was also rendered useless by large boulders and debris.
"It is always like this when it rains heavily," said John Grant, a Jackson Town businessman whose backyard was covered by nearly two feet of water. "The drainage system in the area is not adequate and that is why we are always plagued by this flooding problem."
Errol White, councillor for the Duncans division, which includes Jackson Town and Mahogany Hall, described the situation in the affected areas as terrible and told The Gleaner that he was in contact with the National Works Agency (NWA) and was expecting early assistance to clear the blocked roads and drains.
"We have been lobbying the NWA for a long time to upgrade the drains in the area but it has not been done to date," said Councillor White. "After the roads are cleared this time around, I hope the matter of upgrading the drains will be treated as a priority."
SOME ROADS OPENED
Reports from the ODPEM indicate that a slew of roadways have been made impassable islandwide. By late afternoon the agency reported that the Sligoville main road, a designated alternative route for the Bog Walk gorge, was open to vehicular traffic. In addition, the Barry main road, which earlier had been rendered impassable, was later opened to single lane traffic.
Disaster experts pointed out several roadways in St. Catherine have been blocked by landslides. They are: the Glengoffe to Lawrence Tavern main road; Glengoffe to Bog Walk main road; Zion Hill bridge on the Glengoffe main road and the Tulloch main road leading to Bog Walk.
In St. Andrew, the Clarke's Hill to Temple Hall road was listed as blocked. Others include, Brandon Hill, Mount Airy and the main road leading to Griffin gully.
In St. Mary, these roads have been cleared to accommodate single lane traffic: Highgate to Windsor Castle; Chovey to Claremont; Scott's Hill to Mount Rose and Tavern Hill to Halifax Bridge.
Motorists across the island are being warned to exercise extreme caution when using roadways.
