MoBay flood victim recounts 2017 ordeal

Less than two years after severe flood rains devastated sections of Montego Bay and surrounding communities, one victim of that disaster gave an emotional account during a disaster-preparedness forum at the St James Parish Library last Thursday.

Stephanie Clarke, one of several residents living along Montego Bay's North Gully, which was flooded out in that incident on November 22, 2017, told her story and made appeals for community improvement during the forum, which was collaboratively hosted by the Sam Sharpe Teachers' College and the parish library.

"I've lived there at North Gully for many years, and I've seen several floods, but the recent one was most impacting because of the devastation, damage, and loss. Nobody likes to lose anything, and nobody wants to know that the money they saved up out of the little that they earn has gone to waste," Clarke said with a tremor in her voice. "This one was especially sudden, and there's not much anyone could have done to minimise the damage or secure their belongings. As a resident, I think enough help has not been given to this community as it's happened one time too many."

Montego Bay and surrounding areas were lashed with heavy rains that lasted for four hours, resulting in parts of the downtown district being flooded and suffering infrastructural damage. The subsequent clean-up work took three days to complete.

While addressing the forum, St James parish disaster coordinator Tamoy Sinclair said that efforts are currently being made to implement an early warning system so that residents can have advanced notice of future flooding.

"We know Montego Bay is highly vulnerable to flooding, and persons are at risk primarily when they live in low-lying areas, especially if they live along water channels or gully banks. We started putting up flood gauges all around the town, and we're seeking to have a siren on them. So once the water reaches a specific height, we can hear an alarm or see a flashing light to warn residents at an early stage," said Sinclair.

C.T.