ST JAMES, Jamaica — Government agencies have intensified their efforts to have the flood-ravaged Catherine Hall and West Green communities cleaned up as part of Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

The ramp up efforts come at a time when residents continue to grapple with the widespread destruction left behind by what has been described as the most devastating hurricane to strike Jamaica.

Following a tour of the community with state agencies on Friday, Minister without Portfolio, with responsibility for works Robert Morgan, told Observer Online that the clean-up operation has now moved into its second phase following the removal of heavy debris in the initial days.

“We are in the second phase now of bringing back normalcy to the lives of the people to the extent as best as possible because you would realise that most, if not all, the homes were completely flooded. So, furniture was completely destroyed in 99 per cent of these homes,” stated Morgan.

The minister revealed that flood waters had reached a level of up to 10 feet and in some sections the mud level reached up to three feet.

“The National Solid Waste Management Authority has done a good job and removed over 700 truckloads of debris, which includes furniture that was destroyed by mud itself and other debris. We are now in the second phase of the project, which is to basically remove any other debris left in the community and a massive programme of sanitisation by mobilizing members of the community to execute the effort, along with the China Harbour Engineering, the municipality and the National Works Agency.

A significant amount of work was done to start the first phase of the cleaning up exercise which entails the removal of heavy debris.

Morgan’s colleague Minister with responsibility for Science Technology and special projects, Andrew Wheatley gave further details on the second phase.

“Within the next five days, you will see us working along with the NWA, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the National Water Commission, the fire brigade, all those state agencies being mobilised to ensure that in short order, we bring back some level of normalcy to the lives of the residents of Catherine Hall and West Green. Again, we appreciate the realities. I know that the citizens would have suffered, the residents would have suffered significant loss.

“But we are very grateful to God that, you know, lives were spared and as such, we are now working with the community, working with the Member of Parliament Marlene Malahoo Forte, working with the councillor — Councillor Dwight Crawford, the mayor [Richard Vernon] and the entire municipality (St James Municipal Corporation) to respond as best as possible in this phase of cleaning, cleansing and sanitisation,” said Dr Wheatley.

On Wednesday, a resident of Catherine Hall told Observer Online that she is pleading for state assistance in removing a pile up of mud and debris, including bamboo from the front of her yard.

Wheatley said a number of homes in a similar situation have been identified. He said the agencies will be working with the residents to get the debris out in the first phase.

“Before we can even think about any corrective measures, we want to clean up the place,” Wheatley said.

“So, we have identified a number of homes in that situation. And so we’re sending in the team to do the removal of the debris and anything that they would want to get rid of at this time. And so that is the phase that we are in now — the cleaning up phase.

“I think we have to look at corrective measures thereafter. But as it is right now, we want to get rid of the debris. We want to ensure that people can stay in their house. Even if their furniture is damaged, they can stay in their own space where they are comfortable to some extent,” assured Wheatley.

For his part, Morgan reiterated that, “If residents give us permission to clean their private property, we will do that. Our main focus is common areas and thoroughfares and access. And we will assist residents who want our assistance in helping to clean their areas around their house. But there is also a public health requirement. If we see a risk to public health, then the Government is empowered to do what it needs to do to remove that risk.”

Meanwhile, Wheatley said the Category Five storm is not something that the Government could “actually plan for, because we saw water reaching unprecedented levels, 10 feet of water, mud three to four feet high. Rivers overflowed their banks, water coming from all over”.

“So, this was an unprecedented situation, and it’s also a learning situation for us as a Government and as a people. So, we will draw on this experience and try our best to put mitigation steps in place,” added Wheatley.

Regarding cost, Wheatley said this is yet to be finalised. However, he noted that work is being carried out in these and other communities through the central government which is supporting the multi-agency clean-up effort.