BAY ROAD, Westmoreland — Already stressed by flooding from a heavy downpour Wednesday afternoon, residents of Bay Road and McNeil Land in Westmoreland are worried that Tropical Storm
Melissa — which is expected to increase to hurricane strength and bring heavy rain over the next few days — will be a very bad experience for them.

Bay Road resident Arthur Riley told the Jamaica Observer during a visit to the community that he expects they will be under water by the weekend leading into next week.

“Water start come up in ah certain place right now, like the low-lying areas and behind the houses,” he said, adding that the flood water goes all the way to the nearby McNeil Land.

Both communities have a history of flooding.

According to Riley, a friend had shown him the latest weather map with the storm’s trajectory. He is worried that Melissa will deal Jamaica a hard blow.

“How me see it look, if we get it, it nuh gwine pretty. If the rain come, it nuh gwine pretty because it nuh look normal,” he said.

He is hoping for the best but, based on past experience, he estimates that should there be flooding in his area, it could take close to a month to subside.

Riley currently lives on what he refers to as high ground, but even though his house may escape flooding he has to use a boat made out of fibreglass to get to and from his property.

Bay Road was severely flooded by Tropical Storm Rafael in November 2014. The most recent flooding took place last month.

Errol Edwards, who lives in Savanna-la-Mar but has his mechanic shop business on Bay Road, is concerned about how Melissa will impact his ability to earn a living. He said flooding in the area typically lasts for seven days.

“I cannot work because the water stays pon wi all ah week,” he told the Observer. “I am worried because I cannot get to work. I cannot work in the water.”

The mechanic explained that whenever flooding is expected in the area, he asks his customers to collect their vehicles.

“If I keep it here, I am in problem so I try to let them go. If a man has a car here and we see the storm out or something, me say, ‘Come and collect your car because it can’t stay here,’ ” stated Edwards.

He believes cleaning the drains in the area would help.

Councillor Ian Myles (Jamaica Labour Party, Little London Division) told the Observer drain-cleaning work will be done in the area on Thursday.

Meanwhile Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western Ian Hayles, who was elected on a People’s National Party ticket, said he has been carrying out work in the area though he has not received assistance from central government.

Hayles also called on residents of McNeil Land to heed instructions to evacuate when so advised.

Bay Road mechanic Errol Edwards (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

A drain that runs across the main road in Westmoreland’s flood-prone Bay Road. Residents say if the drain is cleaned it will help to reduce flooding. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

Resident of Bay Road Arthur Riley (Photo: Anthony Lewis)