The Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Portland has completed assessing the damage reported by 14 residents of Manchioneal who were severely affected by torrential rainfall and a freak storm last week.

However Parish Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Denise Lewis says another 37 people from Hector's River are yet to be assessed. She is hoping that the exercise will be completed by tomorrow.

According to Ms. Lewis, the affected persons are to be provided with assistance.

Huge losses

Dozens of residents from both communities suffered huge losses after strong winds blew off the roof of their houses between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The residents who lost domestic animals, furniture and electrical appliances, are now trying to recover. In the meantime several drains, which were blocked during the heavy rains were being cleared on the weekend.

However, Jamaica Labour Party candidate for Western Portland, Dennis Wright also wants river training activities to be undertaken to minimise incidents of flooding.

"It is now necessary to carry out river training and drain cleaning to prevent any such future disaster," he said. "I believe it is necessary at this time for the disaster preparedness team and other agencies to come forward and rapidly assist the residents".