Beryl damage highlights need for construction approvals, Clarendon officials warn
Published:Tuesday | July 16, 2024 | 12:11 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
The Clarendon Municipal Corporation is reminding residents of the importance of consulting with the local authorities before embarking on any home-construction projects.
The advisory followed extensive damage caused to several homes by Hurricane Beryl nearly a week ago.
The corporation has highlighted that many of the houses along the southern belt of the parish, including areas like Portland Cottage, were constructed without the necessary approvals.
The corporation stressed that Portland Cottage is a designated ‘no-build’ zone.
“We do have a number of informal settlements in the southern belt, and some of these homes were never approved by the corporation. As a matter of fact, in Portland Cottage, during the passage of Hurricane Ivan [in 2004,] a new scheme was developed, and so, some of the houses that were damaged were houses that persons left and relocated to higher grounds. We have a no-build zone in the Portland Cottage, and we will continue to monitor to ensure we do not have illegal construction within the wetlands in those areas,” CEO (CEO) Rowhan Blake told journalists following last week’s sitting of the corporation.
The communities of Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in southeastern Clarendon are listed as highly vulnerable by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) due to their proximity to the sea.
In 2004, after Hurricane Ivan caused severe devastation – destroying hundreds of homes and resulting in eight fatalities – then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson declared the area a disaster zone and issued a directive forbidding any reconstruction efforts.
PAY ATTENTION
“What we, as the corporation, are saying to the residents is that they need to submit a building application because it’s not just they are building in vulnerable areas, but the type of construction itself, we need to pay attention to the type of construction.
“When we traverse the southern belts, we realise that some persons are building on ground level and the construction methods may need to be adjusted, and some may need to construct higher floorings to lessen the impact of flooding,” added Blake.
Under the Jamaica Building Act, buildings must be designed to adhere to rigorous standards that ensure they can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. The act mandates that anyone proposing to construct, alter, or extend a building must submit a written notice to the municipal corporation, along with a complete set of plans detailing the building’s design, location, construction methods, and systems for drainage and water supply. Additionally, the act prohibits construction in wetlands, coastal areas, and other environmentally sensitive zones to protect these vital ecosystems and mitigate environmental risks.
May Pen Mayor Joel Williams has stressed that those getting assistance to rebuild must do so with resilience as a priority. He urged that the rebuilding efforts should focus on creating structures that are durable and capable of withstanding future natural disasters.
“You must be able to build resiliently. You’re not going to get the assistance, and just put some zincs on a roof as you wish, because if we have another hurricane, you must be in a better position than when Hurricane Beryl [came],’’ said Williams.
CEO Blake said that the corporation will be rigorously enforcing regulations throughout the restoration period. He emphasised that strict adherence to these guidelines is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the rebuilding efforts.