GRANT’S Pen in St Thomas is not new to flooding.

However, the recent construction of a highway above the low-lying community has now added large rocks and mud to the danger already faced by residents when it rains, as they experienced Wednesday from Hurricane Beryl.

On Thursday when the Jamaica Observer toured the area following the passage of Hurricane Beryl roads in the community were covered with dozens of large rocks and mud, which washed down from an eroding section of the highway above.

A lot of the mud washed into the houses of residents and they believe they were lucky that none of the large stones breached the structures, although some ended up in their yards. Some residents argued that if something is not done urgently the large stones could begin rolling into their houses, causing further destruction.

Sandy Shaw said she was left traumatised by the ordeal of having inches of water accompanied by mud flowing into her house and destroying some of her possessions.

“Grant’s Pen usually have a little flooding but we never see it like this yet, never before. Water opened my door and flood out everywhere and every room. We had to stay behind the door to ease off the pressure. There is a pool in our bathroom right now.

“We had to bail out water in order to see the toilet bowl to how high the water and the mud came. My fridge and generator got damaged. Everything gone. All rubbish from off the road me see a run inna my house. The slippage of the stones and mud happened already but this one is the worst. At one point, I was panicking and considering going through the window to access the vehicle at the front of the house,” said Shaw.

“That’s how high the water was. Do you know how traumatising it is to see your shoes swimming in your kitchen and everything under me dresser a swim go out? Right now me can’t go work. A call meplan fi call di boss fi give me at least three to four days off so I can clean up my place,” added Shaw.

The residents fear that they will be more trouble later in the year if the problem is not fixed, given that 2024 is expected to be a busy hurricane season.

One woman told the Observer that she was upset when she learned that plans were in train to sort out the issue, but thieves caused a delay in having it fixed.

“After construction of the highway we noticed the problem. The other day we had some rain and there was flooding and officials walked through to look at it. China Harbour [Engineering Company] sent some people to correct the problem but some men stole all the cement and material that was to do the work and so no work was done,” she said.

The Jamaica Labour Party’s James Robertson, who is the Member of Parliament for St Thomas Western, told the Observer that it was not fair to downplay the lack of action in dealing with the situation. He suggested that if people actually ensured that the work was done, there would be no complaints about material theft.

“The truth is that if the design and engineering work was not done, it wasn’t done. We cannot be talking about individuals stealing a bag or two of cement at a time like this. Can we even say that’s true? All of what is up here now has gone down and destroyed people’s homes and lives. This needs to be stabilised. This needs to be dealt with as an emergency.

“Below us is the old road and the district of Grant’s Pen where people’s lives and their value have been put at risk. Water has gone where it has never gone before, not in 20 years and not in 100 years. The design company, Stanley Consultants, is fully aware of what is happening. As we stand here, you can hear the crumbling, Stanley Consultants know about this. National Works Agency has had their tours even up to three weeks ago. The new minister of works, Robert Nesta Morgan, was here for the tour,” said Robertson.

“We now have a crisis. If we have any more weather patterns like this, not only do we lose the district and the people, we also compromise the highway, which is and has been serving us so well. The councillor, Andrea Patience, is in the community doing what she can do. The different ministries and agencies will do what they have to do. The parish council, the mayor and, as Member of Parliament through my offices and different agencies I relate to, we will do what we have to do. The issues large and small that exist along the highway have to be dealt with as a matter of priority. Hundreds of homes have been washed out in Grant’s Pen. Look at this lady still washing off her feet. There is mud and stones three feet high in people’s homes, where it has never been before,” added Robertson.