By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
WITH THE traditional rainy season just one month away, residents of the flood-prone communities in western Jamaica are now on full alert as they seek to prepare themselves for the worst should disaster occur.
Within recent years, communities such as New Market and New River in St. Elizabeth; Chigwell and Forest in Hanover; and McNeill Lands in Westmoreland, have been seriously affected by flood waters, which devastated crops and forced many residents to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in emergency shelters.
Since last year's rains, crops have been replanted and normal life has returned. However, occasional showers, such as those which occurred in New River early last week, are reviving old fears among many residents.
"I could not believe my eyes," said New River resident Cupie Malcolm, as he recalled how he watched as floodwaters gradually surrounded his house last year. "My entire yard was covered and when I had to leave the house, I had to wade through waist-high water."
Mr. Malcolm was among some 76 residents of the area, who were forced to leave their homes and take up residence in the Little Zion and Sharon Baptist churches, which were transformed into emergency shelters.
WORRIED
"It was not a good feeling," Mr. Malcolm recalled, in relating the experience he had last year. "I am now worried that I might have to go back there again this year."
Last year's experience was not new to Mr. Malcolm as he recalled having to evacuate his house twice in 2002 as rains associated with tropical storms Lili and Isidore flooded the area. "I have had to leave my house every year because of floods," he said.
From his bar near the main road, Peter Grant said he is warily watching the weather. "I am watching still to see what is going on," he said. "But to speak the truth, I wouldn't like to see another flood and I am very worried."
Besides New River, other St. Elizabeth communities that experienced flooding last year include New Holland, Middle Quarters, Maggotty, Aberdeen, Parottee, Treasure Beach, Billy's Bay and Great Bay.
According to the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the flooding in the affected areas is primarily due to the fact that the layers of soil become saturated. The WRA recorded water level increases in excess of 200 feet after tropical storms Isidore and Lili lashed the island from September 17 to 30, 2002.
Last year in New River alone water rose to more than six feet, making the community completely inaccessible to vehicular traffic.
Derrick Scott, who owns a large chicken farm in New River, is now keeping an eye on the skies as in 2002 he was forced to watch helplessly as rising water engulfed his farm, killing some 5,000 chickens. His total loss amount to $1.7 million.
"Last year wasn't bad at all and basically I am alright now," he told The Sunday Gleaner "But I am checking the skies every day."
POOR DRAINAGE
Mr. Scott blames poor drainage in the area for the frequent flooding and has called on the authorities to make sure they are cleared before the rains begin in earnest. "I am not happy with the conditions of the drains in New River," he said. "I think all culverts in the areas should be changed and all drains kept clear."
