Widespread flooding in eastern Jamaica

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has received confirmed reports that the Yallahs river is in spate, and has left several communities in the Llandewey area of St. Thomas marooned.

 ODPEM says the communities, which are all located across the river,   include Guinea Corn Piece, Orange Tree and Gordon Castle.

The Agency says the Ministry of Labour and Social and Security has been placed on standby, in the event the rains persist into Monday and Tuesday.

 Meanwhile, ODPEM has also received reports that the Hordley Crossing to Golden Grove Main Road, in Eastern St. Thomas, is now impassableHordley Crossing is the main arterial from St. Thomas to Portland and no official alternative route exists.

And, the police are advising motorists are not to attempt to cross the roadway in the vicinity of Eastern Banana Ltd., as that road is flooded.
The Bath to Hordley Crossing is impassable, at Wheelers-field as the road is now under seven feet of water.

 Still in St. Thomas, the Airy Castle to Bath main road is impassable to small vehicles.
 The road is now flooded by the Plantain Garden River, which has overflown its banks, at Potosi. In Western St. Thomas, the Old Road in Danvers Pen is blocked by a mudslide, while the main road between Trinityville and Cedar Valley is impassable at Banana Gully, which has overflown its banks.
 The Eleven Miles Fords are also  impassable.

In view of the Flash Flood Warning in effect for six parishes including St. Thomas, ODPEM is advising motorists to avoid these areas and others that are at risk from flooding and landslides.

Boulders Falling In Gorge

RJR News has just been informed  that boulders are falling in the Bog Walk Gorge.
Deputy Superintendent, Steve Brown, of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) is advising motorists to avoid using the gorge until further notice.