Left: Residents travel by boat in Swamp, Moneague, to get to their homes last week. Right:
A house in Swamp, Moneague, St. Ann, is covered by rising waters in this December 29, 2005 photo. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THINGS ARE getting worse in the community of Swamp in Moneague, St. Ann, as groundwater which has flooded the district is said to be still rising.
The Gleaner reported last week that the area was almost completely covered by water that has been rising since early last year.
Yesterday, Lloyd Garrick, councillor for the Moneague Division, said the water has started to threaten more homes.
The councillor warned residents and persons who have been visiting the community to see the tragedy, to exercise caution.
"The water is not safe. People need to realise that a number of pit toilets broke out and all that is mixed in with the water," he urged.
Despite the fact that several signs have been erected in the area to warn of the danger associated with the water, many persons have been travelling to the community to wash their vehicles.
"We had a boat in the area transporting residents across, but because of the state of the water, the health department has said we should discontinue its use," Mr. Garrick said.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
The councillor said that if this happens, alternative arrangements will have to be made to transport residents. "I would like to see a shuttle service started, especially to take the children to school," he said.
Residents last week complained that political representatives were neglecting the community. But Mr. Garrick denied that claim.
"I am on the ground almost every day. We are now looking at cutting a new road to help increase access to nearby communities," he said.
The councillor noted that late last week, residents noticed water rising from the ground at another spot in Moneague. This, he said, was troubling. "It is just off the Moneague main road, on the way back to Faith's Pen."
Mr. Garrick said in the long run, the Government will need to look at finding a place to relocate the residents of Swamp whose homes have been destroyed.
