BREAKING NEWS :: Heavy rains continues to lash Jamaica, ODPEM

Landslides and scouring of parochial roads caused by Tropical Storm Noel has left one dead, three injured, persons homeless and made several roads impassable for motorists and pedestrians. A Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas in the eastern parishes is now in effect until 5:00 p.m. today. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging persons living in flood and landslide prone areas to be cautious and be ready to evacuate should the need arise.

A flash flood warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly.

A house in Mud Town off Gordon Town Road in St. Andrew collapsed leaving one female dead and three persons injured.  

At 8am the release indicated that a major landslide occurred along the Bull Bay to Dallas Castle Main road in the vicinity of the Drumming Hill School.  All the alternative routes are also blocked. The National Works Agency has however, been contacted to effect clearance.

In Cedar Valley, St. Thomas landslides and/or scouring have been reported in Penlyne Castle and Kerick Hill, the Arntully to Ness Castle and on the Richmond to Richmond Vale routes. There is however, no alternative route. Mango Rowe Road in the vicinity of Bethel Gap has also experienced landslides and has made the road impassable.

Scouring is where the debris that comes out of the water erodes the road causing the surface to break away

In Bath, St. Thomas landslides and/or scouring have occurred in Springbank, Mansfield, Hayfield, Beacon Hill (the alternative route is also blocked) and Mount Felix

In the Trintyville Area, St. Thomas landslides have occurred in Somerset, Georgia, Sping Piece, Mount Lebanus, and Buckingham. Hillside and Danvers Pen Old Roads are currently blocked as a result of debris, which flowed and settled along the roadway.

In the Llandewey Area landslides have occurred in Logwood Piece, Raywood and Compound Road.

Severe scour has also taken place at Pondside Road, White Horses and Stanmore Road.

A section of the Yallahs fording at 11-Miles Bull Bay has broken away which has caused the fording to be accessible only to large vehicles.

The Mahogony Vale and White River Fordings are inundated; as a result the communities Hagley Gap, Epping Farm, Grass Piece have been cut off.

Flood Safety Tips from ODPEM:   DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOODED WATERWAYS Listen to your radio to keep informed Do not walk outside barefooted during or after flooding Bury all dead animals as soon as possible Move your refrigerator, stove and furniture to a higher floor, or place them on building blocks and secure to the wall

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