Torrential rainfall causes landslides and flooding in Portland

Three days of torrential rainfall have caused severe damage to the road network in East and West Portland, with multiple landslides affecting several communities.

As a result of the heavy rainfall some roadways have been rendered impassable to vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

Disaster Coordinator for the parish, Denise Lewis told The Gleaner on Tuesday that emergency teams are on high alert to deal with any eventuality.

She also stated that the roadways at Coopers Hill, sections of the Rio Grande Valley, New Road, and Windsor, which were impacted, are being cleared for single traffic.

“We have flooding and landslide impact within the parish. We have the communities of Breastworks, Naylor's Road, and Free School in Port Antonio. And we have families impacted as a result of flooding," she commented.

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“We also have landslides at New Road, Windsor, Coopers Hill, Bangaridge, and a few other areas. However, the responsible agencies have responded. Information has been put forward to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and their teams are very vigilante. The Portland Municipal Corporation continues to be on alert along with members of the Parish Disaster Committee to ensure that the necessary actions are taken," she added.

Yesterday, East Portland Member of Parliament, Ann-Marie Vaz toured sections of the ravaged communities including Sea View Farm, Halls Avenue, Breastworks, Fellowship, and Boundbrook, where several homes were inundated as a result of the persistent rainfall, which caused rivers to overflow their banks.

“It is a bad period for my East Portland family, but I am standing by them in this flooding. We will see this through together and I will provide the necessary assistance that is need," she told some of the residents.

“I urge you not to take any unnecessary risk, as your lives are far more important than anything else," she added.

One resident, Lucan Edwards, was trapped in the landslide at Coppers Hill, while attempting to walk through the mud to get to safety. 

Edwards, who also lost his footwear in the process, could be overheard calling out for help from one of his friends, after realising that he was unable to move.

- Gareth Davis