Heavy rains, flooding hit Portland hard

As unfavourable weather conditions continued to affect the eastern parish of Portland yesterday, several communities were flooded.

The Annotto River yesterday overflowed its banks, resulting in the flooding of nearby roadways.

"It's been a long time since I have seen rain falling like this," said Barrington Hamilton, a resident at West Street in Port Antonio.

"A bridge at Free School (Hall's Avenue), which was blocked by wood and other debris, overflowed, leaving that stretch of roadway from the old railway station to the roads and works department of the parish council flooded. And by about 5:30 a.m. (Friday), vehicular traffic was diverted through the hills of Halls Avenue - exiting at Janga Gully near Boundbrook," he added.

The inclement weather also forced the abandonment of classes at a number of schools in the parish including Titchfield High, Port Antonio High, Port Antonio Primary, Hill Preparatory, Boundbrook Primary, Drapers All-Age, and Fellowship Primary and Junior High.

The schools were closed because most of the students and teachers were unable to secure public transportation to get to the facilities.

One resident of Fellowship, Maxine Brown, who was trapped in her house for several hours after rising waters inundated her property, said she feared for her life.

"Water was everywhere and I was so scared," she said.

"All my furniture, including sofa, beds, television sets, refrigerator, DVD player, stereo, and clothes, iron were damaged. Should this continue for the next day or so, we must dead!" she said.