Dear Editor,

Flooding was a significant contributor to the devastating damage which followed the passage of Hurricane Melissa. But I can’t help asking: How many of these floods were preventable with proper planning and risk mitigation?

During the hurricane my entire home was flooded when the Buff Bay River burst its banks like a dam and carved a path through several houses in the Woodstock housing scheme, causing millions of dollars in damage to property, furniture, food, and appliances.

As someone born and raised in Buff Bay, Portland, I have never seen anything like this in my 21 years of life. I, along with several residents, have been left shaken, fearful, and deeply concerned for the safety of our community. Within minutes water poured into my house, rising to about three feet despite all doors being closed, destroying most of what we owned. It was a traumatic experience that will stay with us for a long time.

What happened during Hurricane Melissa is more than a personal tragedy, it is a warning. The Buff Bay River has been a growing threat for years. Riverbanks have eroded, gabion baskets are missing or damaged, and little has been done to strengthen the area’s natural defences. For far too long we have relied on short-term fixes rather than investing in long-term prevention. The result is that a single night of heavy rain can now endanger homes, livelihoods, and lives.

We often hear that climate change is making storms more powerful and unpredictable, and we see that reality unfolding right here in Portland. Yet our preparedness has not kept pace with the increasing risks. If another heavy downpour was to have the river in spate, the devastation caused to the two adjacent housing schemes would be unimaginable. The flooding we experienced this time, without a direct hit from the hurricane, should be enough to make us act.

This isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about protecting people and preventing avoidable suffering. Every year we hear stories of communities cut off, homes destroyed, and families displaced after heavy rainfall. These aren’t simply acts of nature that we must accept, they are consequences of delayed action and underinvestment in disaster prevention.

We need a more proactive and coordinated approach. Investments must be made to secure the Buff Bay River through de-silting, proper training, installation of gabion baskets, and regular maintenance. There must also be stronger oversight to ensure that once protective measures are in place materials are not stolen or misused and illegal mining and sand removal are stopped completely. The systems, meant to protect us, should not become vulnerable to neglect or corruption.

Portland has always been one of the most beautiful and naturally rich parts of Jamaica, but we also know it is one of the most geographically vulnerable. As we rebuild after Hurricane Melissa, I am urging the relevant bodies and stakeholders in local governance to see this as an opportunity to change course. Let us make the investments that will save lives, safeguard communities, and strengthen our parish’s resilience to climate change.

We should not have to live in fear every time it rains heavily. Preventable disasters should be exactly that: prevented. I hope this moment serves as a turning point for serious, sustained action on river protection and disaster preparedness in Portland before lives are lost.

Natalia Burton

Buff Bay resident

nataliatburton@gmail.com