Overnight rains in the western parishes of Hanover and St. James have left at least two critical roads impassable. The section of the Northcoast Highway through Sandy Bay, Hanover is impassable, due to washed down silt and debris. In St. James, the main road from Barnett to Adelphi has once again been made impassable, also due to heavy siltation.
Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, says that the agency has deployed teams into the affected areas with a view to reopening the roads as quickly as possible.
Mr. Shaw also said that a section of the North Gully in the community of Capital Heights, St. James has also been impacted. Flood waters were diverted onto the road, due to a downed tree. The road has been impacted.
Mr. Shaw further stated that multiple teams continue to operate in the western parishes of Hanover, St. James, Westmoreland and Trelawny as the NWA seek to reopen all roads impacted by Hurricane Melissa. He says work is taking place in the Petersville community in Westmoreland as the NWA seeks to ensure that critical services are delivered to the impacted persons. The community is one of two in the west that, up to yesterday, was inaccessible.
Mr. Shaw is urging persons to continue to exercise caution in using the main road network at this time as they are likely to encounter impediments as they move around. Persons should also be mindful of flash flooding as the underground aquifers are full, and some waterways are still being impacted by debris associated with the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
He says the NWA is working closely with the Jamaica Public Services Company Limited as there are several roads that are being impacted by downed poles and power lines. The majority of these are in the central and western parishes that were hardest hit by the hurricane.
