St. Thomas community on edge amid flood threat

 

More than 30 residents of Blacksmith Lane in Seaforth, St. Thomas are on edge on Tuesday afternoon, as the Johnson River, which previously washed away three houses, is once again threatening their homes after heavy rainfall. 

 

Earlier on Tuesday, residents protested what they described was neglect by the authorities in carrying out proper river training along the bank of the Johnson River. 

 

But, speaking with the Radio Jamaica News, shortly after 1 p.m., Marcia Francis said the river overflowed its banks and is metres away from their homes.

 

She said following Hurricane Melissa, the authorities carried out temporary work by pushing sand along the river bank, but have not returned to complete a permanent fix. 

 

"Melissa wash weh almost half a di yard, and from then, we haven't been getting any assistance. From the first time they come, them nuh come back. So we nuh get nuh assistance from nobody, more than them jus push up likkle sand and that's it. So now the rain start falling again uppa di river head, so di river burst een back on us," she disclosed, adding that residents are now worried that their lives are in danger.