The Bog Walk gorge which links Kingston with the island's north coast was opened to vehicular traffic late Wednesday although work is still taking place to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma last week. The heavy rains associated with the hurricane caused extensive damage to the roadway, forcing its closure by the National Works Agency. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE METEOROLOGICAL Service has forecast another wet weekend for the island as weather systems bringing more rainfall continued to close in yesterday.
Streets were transformed into canals in sections of Trelawny, Hanover, and St. Elizabeth yesterday, and 150 persons were forced to hastily evacuate communities of Zion, Comfort Hall and Scarlet Hall in Trelawny.
Duty forecaster at the Meteorological Service, Glenroy Brown, told The Gleaner yesterday that a severe weather alert remained in effect for the island until 5:00 this morning.
He said a stationary front was continuing to affect the island.
"Right through the weekend we are still forecasting that you will have some showers and thunderstorms across the island," he said.
"We do have a tropical wave moving across the Caribbean and that will affect the system that is across us now," he added.
BETA MOVING AWAY
Mr. Brown said Tropical Storm Beta was moving away from the island, but that the rains were expected to continue.
Meanwhile, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised residents who live in areas which were flooded to immediately evacuate to safer areas or the closest public shelter.
Head of Trelawny's local ODPEM, Deonne Hylton, said 90 of the evacuees were sheltered at the Holland High School, but noted that there were no blankets in stock. She said people in shelters would therefore "have to cope with what they may have managed to rescue from their homes."
Sources indicate that officials at Holland High School were concerned about the continued loss of valuable school time because of the inclement weather, and hoped that persons would be moved soon to facilitate the reopening of school on Monday.
In the meantime, Mayor of Falmouth, Jonathan Bartley, said that, in light of the present warning issued by ODPEM, other shelters have been put on standby.
Yesterday there were also reports that flood waters which had covered several sections of New River in St. Elizabeth on Wednesday were rising.
Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for St. Elizabeth, Yvonne Morrison, told The Gleaner that six families were being sheltered at New River Mount Zion Church.
"The major entrance to the community is impassable and that has posed a challenge for the residents of the area," Ms. Morrison said.
Councillor for the area, Stallin Brown, urged the authorities to repair the alternative route out of New River, via the Olive Park and Brighton Roads. Mr. Brown said those roads were not in good condition and that the residents were suffering.
"I think we should consider relocating the residents in the community, because every year it is the same old story ... flooding and more flooding," Councillor Brown said.
In Hanover, the coastal areas of Lucea, Sandy Bay and Green Island were badly affected.
"We have no people in shelters at this point, but 192 families from 11 communities have been displaced so far but they are staying with relatives and friends," said Desmond Dorman, acting disaster co-ordinator for the parish.
