Sat | May 16, 2026

Newmarket businesses affected by rising water

Published:Wednesday | November 10, 2010 | 12:00 AM
A section of the Newmarket community in St Elizabeth, which is still submerged in water after heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Nicole pounded the island in September. - photo by Petrina Francis

NEWMARKET, St Elizabeth:

SOME BUSINESS operators in Newmarket, St Elizabeth say their livelihood is being affected by the rising water in the community.

Water has been rising since September, when heavy rains associated with the system that became Tropical Storm Nicole lashed the island.

When The Gleaner visited the community on Sunday, several houses and business places were submerged in water.

Renford Hibbert, who co-owns a garage, said his business was severely affected.

Losing business

"We had to move the cars and equipment out of the garage, because as you can see the garage is now under water," Hibbert told The Gleaner on Sunday.

He continued: "We are now losing business because the main road to MoBay is blocked, and so not many people pass through this area anymore."

Hibbert and his business partner, have moved the cars to a pathway in the community, where they attempt to work on the few cars they get. He said prior to the flooding, they would repair approximately 10 cars, but that has been scaled down to one each day.

Grocery shops and a jerk centre are also affected by the rising water.

Meanwhile, Delroy Chambers' farm is under water, forcing him to find other jobs to provide for his family, as he is unable to go to the neighbouring Lewisville market, where he usually sells his produce.

"Mi did have it dis year man...the crops were good and almost ready for reaping," Chambers told The Gleaner.

"Mi is a direct buy-and-sell man. All this time of the year, I would be going to Coronation market to sell sorrel. Ah bwoy, it rough," he lamented.

Chambers wants the water to recede before December. However, he acknowledged that it was wishful thinking, and provided evidence that the opposite was happening.

"Last week Tuesday, we were able to see a bus stop up the road, now the bus stop is under water and cannot be seen," he explained.

This is not the first time the community has been affected by rising waters. The community was submerged in 1979 and was also affected in 2002.