Nicole flood waters receding in St Bess, Hanover

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE WATER Resources Authority (WRA) has reported that flood waters from Tropical Storm Nicole are gradually receding in affected parts of Hanover, while some sections of St Elizabeth remain inundated.

In a press release this week, the WRA provided information on the current flood-water levels at Newmarket and New River in St Elizabeth, as well as Chigwell, Pearces Village and Forest in Hanover.

According to the report, since November 14, Newmarket had not recorded any perceptible rise or fall in flood waters. However, the report warned that rainfall in the area could cause the water to rise.

For New River, the flood waters have receded from residential areas and access roads at an average of 0.04 metre per day, and current efforts are focused on analysing all the factors that gave risen to the flooding. The area's surrounding marshland remain under water.

"At my last check of Newmarket, the water levels were still high. I haven't been there in a while, but the road is likely still impassable," said Renae Britton, St Elizabeth's disaster coordinator.

Britton added that, according to reports, during the period of flooding in Newmarket, the water rose high enough to cover vehicles, including a trailer truck. Meanwhile, in New River, several emergency shelters were in operation.

"In New River, the roads were just impassable because there are a number of bridges there and, if you're not familiar with the area, you could drive off (the bridge)," she said.

"Vehicles did not enter from the main road. An alternative route had to be taken through Olive Park because the main road was inundated during the peak of the flooding."

In Chigwell, flood-water levels are currently receding at a rate of 0.01 metre daily, with the road from Chigwell to Mount Peto now accessible. At the same time, the water levels in the neighbouring Forest and Pearces Village communities have gone down by two metres.

"In Chigwell, the place is still in a bad situation because you still have houses completely covered by water, and it's not likely to recede before February or March," said Olga Headley, disaster coordinator for Hanover, who toured the area on Tuesday.

"What happened in Chigwell when the waters are going down in Forest and Pearces Village, the water actually drains because Chigwell is below them," she continued.