LUNA DISTRICT, St Mary — Residents say the last time there was a landslide in this farming community, it took three days for the National Works Agency to clear it. That was last Friday and they were eventually able to get in and out of the area on Tuesday.

Now they are worried about what will happen when Tropical Storm Melissa eventually moves closer to Jamaica, dumping rainwater on already soggy ground. “Anytime rain fall we get lock out or in!” 53-year-old shopkeeper Hyacinth “Miss T” Christie told the Jamaica Observer during a visit to the community Thursday.

Bad roads and landslides top the list of challenges the community, which borders St Andrew and St Mary, has been facing for years.

“The rain fall and that’s it. We just either prepare to stay in or out, if we already deh a road,” bemoaned the shopkeeper who has lived in the community most of her life.

“Most persons work in Lawrence Tavern so when they hear about the weather is either they try reach home or stay out,” Christie pointed out.

The reportedly slow response from the relevant agencies has left her and her neighbours peeved. She still recalls the agony experienced after Hurricane Beryl sideswiped Jamaica on July 3 last year.

“Beryl, we felt it bad. It took almost a month before we could get out. We never have anyone to think about us and when we call, no response,” said Christie.

She said appeals were made to Councillor Lenford Danvers (Jamaica Labour Party, Castleton Division) and the then Member of Parliament for St Mary South Eastern Norman Dunn. According to Christie, Danvers’ responses were long in coming while Dunn did not reply.

Efforts to reach Danvers were unsuccessful; however, Dunn — who lost the seat in the September 3, 2025 General Election — has taken issue with the assertion that he has been slow to act whenever the community is marooned during heavy rains or natural disasters.

“I have always been instantaneous with my actions. I will sometimes be there,” the former MP told the Observer.

For now, Christie hopes things will be different the next time there is a landslide in Luna.

“I hope that when we reach out for the roads to be cleared it is done early,” said Christie.

She takes comfort in the thought that she can rely on her neighbours as residents in the community take care of each other.

“We don’t use any shelter, although one is there. We look out for our elderly and during hurricane is each other homes we seek shelter. [During] Beryl, my house full of my neighbours,” Christie said as she placed groceries in her shopping bag.

— Ingrid Henry