School wall collapses amid widespread flooding in Old Harbour

Administrators at the state-owned Marlie Mount Primary and Infant will have to reconstruct the back wall after the structural integrity was compromised by persistent showers caused by Tropical Storm Elsa impacting the island for the last 12 hours.

As a result of the fallen structure, vehicular traffic has been affected at the foot of Hibiscus Drive in the community.

Meantime several thoroughfares in Old Harbour have been impacted by conditions brought on by TS Elsa which is expected remain over the island until Monday.

Amateur videos circulating show flooding along South Street and West Street and other roads near the town centre. Motor vehicles were also seen stuck in choppy waters in the vicinity of Church Pen on Old Harbour Road and Claremont Heights.

Residents of Bay View have informed Old Harbour News of a fallen Jamaica Public Service Utility pole, as well as flooding in the area despite recent drain cleaning works carried out in the community. 

Electrical and water supply has been disrupted in New Harbour Village communities. And the perimeter wall at the Villages of Colbeck, currently under construction, has also collapsed a video from one resident has shown.

In Big Pond in northern Old Harbour residents are once again marooned. Big Pond is currently undergoing a multimillion dollar flood mitigation programme funded by the World Bank. The impact of this storm is likely to affect the timeline of the project which has already been setback due to other factors.

People's National Party Caretaker for the Old Harbour North Division Adrian Samuda has appealed to Member of Parliament Everald Warmington on behalf of residents.

The people are suffering worse than before,” Samuda told Old Harbour News. “We were optimistic that the work being done would have solved the problem. So we are asking please Mr Warmington just jump on this now immediately. Please, Please.”

The Coburn Gully, which usually affects communities such as Nightingale Grove, Vineyards Estate and Bushy Park, remains in check for now residents say. However, they are ready to move to higher ground should the situation change for the worse.

Elsewhere in the parish the Bog Walk Gorge has been closed by the National Works Agency as a precaution due anticipated flooding. The NWA, is also reporting flooding in Half-Way-Tree, while it is urging motorists travelling to May Pen from Old Habour to use the toll road as the Rasta Gully in Sandy Bay, Clarendon is impassable.