Midnight flood swamps Portland homes as rains create chaos

A night of relentless rain and thunder left sections of northeastern Jamaica reeling, as swollen waterways burst their bounds and sent murky floodwaters rushing into homes, reigniting fears ahead of the looming hurricane season.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica had forecast unstable weather conditions across the region, warning of persistent rainfall through late Sunday into Monday. But for residents of eastern Portland, the weather’s true force came suddenly and without mercy late Friday night.

Shortly after 11 p.m., a violent downpour – punctuated by sharp lightning and rolling thunder – awakened residents along Seaview Farm Road. Within moments, a nearby river, choked by debris beneath a bridge, overflowed its banks.

What followed was swift and unsettling.

“I quickly turned on my verandah light just in time to see the water rushing into the yard and then on to the verandah,” recalled resident Marlise Hill, describing the chaos as floodwaters invaded her home.

The surge, thick with silt and debris, pushed into her living room, leaving behind a chilling reminder of the community’s vulnerability. Though damage to furniture was minimal, Hill told The Sunday Gleaner that the outcome could have been far worse.

Her concern is shared by many: a long-standing blockage in the waterway, worsened by unchecked vegetation and improper garbage disposal, continues to heighten the flood risk.

“This has been happening for a long time and all it needs is for the river to be cleaned in a timely manner. All forms of vegetation are growing in the river, and the dumping of garbage into the river further compounds the problem. The rainy season is fast approaching and after that the start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1. Something needs to be done so as to prevent flooding in the area,” she stressed.

Across eastern Portland, several low-lying communities bore the brunt of nearly four hours of sustained rainfall. Flooding was reported in Boundbrook near Coronation Bakery and the fishermen’s beach, Lower West Street by CC Bakery and the Old Marina, as well as in Breast Works, Anchovy, Rice Peas Road, and Folly Road.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring St Mary, early Saturday flooding affected sections of Jacks River and Sand Shore.

Mayor of Port Maria, Fitzroy Wilson, noted that while water levels rose quickly, they also receded soon after the rains eased.

The reprieve, however, may be temporary.

St Mary South Eastern Member of Parliament Christopher Brown is urging residents in flood-prone communities, including Annotto Bay, Fort George, and Baxter’s Mountain, to remain on high alert as unstable weather lingers.

“I am aware that the PIOJ (Planning Institute of Jamaica) is doing or rather undertaking a project to address and deal with the troubling situation of flooding in the town of Annotto Bay,” he told The Sunday Gleaner. “This is indeed a very good initiative. However, other areas like Camberwell and Long Road are prone to breakaway and landslides, which oftentimes result in residents being marooned.

“Annotto Bay and Fort George, for the most part, are easily affected by flooding during a downpour, which impacts not only the roadways but also the homes of residents. Whenever the town of Annotto Bay is flooded, commerce is brought to a halt and no vehicle can traverse that corridor into Kingston or into Port Maria. It is a critical corridor for the motoring public, commerce, and education. Already we are experiencing an overcast condition, which is probably an indication that the rains are coming.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com