Not much to fear in St Ann

Some residents and officials in St Ann are not overly concerned about rising river levels in the advent of heavy showers.

Over the past decade or so, there have been instances of significant flooding in the parish. The Cave River caused havoc in Cave Valley in 2004, rising to cover the town centre, while in 2010, as much as it did in 1986, the Pedro River flooded several homes in that community.

Mayor of St Ann's Bay, Desmond Gilmore, indicated that while there might be a genuine cause for concern in the advent of flooding, the threat level is not particularly high, given the infrequency of such incidents.

However, parish disaster coordinator Alvin Clarke said there was some amount of concern regarding the Negro River which runs through St Ann's Bay. Although just a trickle most of the time, the water level rises during heavy showers.

Recent history indicates no serious flooding where this river is concerned. In fact, one business operator with establishment on the river bank, said she had no concern whatsoever as it relates to the possibility of flooding.

"No, I'm not really worried. Everything is alright," the shopkeeper stated.

Retaining walls are evident along much of the river bank in the area of St Ann's Bay.

Willing to relocate

After the 2010 flooding in Pedro River, residents told The Gleaner then that they would be willing to relocate.

However, one resident told the newspaper on Tuesday that the residents are not serious about moving.

"After the 1986 flood they were offered alternative locations but they didn't want to move," the resident said. "The same thing after the last flood, they don't really want to move. Once the water goes down, they say everything is okay and they are back to where they were."