Flooding woes for 17 years

While some Barbadians were wrapped up in bed enjoying yesterday’s showers caused by a tropical wave, Omar Jemmott was praying it would ease.

He watched helplessly as water flooded the environs of his home at Indian Ground, Westbury Road, St Michael.

By the time a NATION team arrived around 7 p.m., the worst of the flooding was starting to ease, but there was still a pond to the west of the house and the workshop was ankle deep in water.

Jemmott said it has been an issue for the past 17 years. Wood and other material he uses were soaking wet. He lost some tools and was hoping both the refrigerator and stove in the workshop would survive this round of flooding.

As the water drained, the high water mark was visible on the wall, his friend Albert Hughes pointed out.

“I’ve been reporting to the ministers on other occasions about the flooding in my area. I spent thousands of dollars in repairs and right now I’m begging for help,” Jemmott said.

He said he rebuilt the home higher, but the father of five – two of whom live at him – says that did not help much. The backyard was flooded, clothes were fluttering just a few feet above the water and it started drizzling again.

“I tried digging a drainage section for myself but I couldn’t do much because I don’t have the funds. The area in a descent . . . . It wants building up and the water should be able to run freely.”

To compound the issue, a canal which runs at the back of the property was not draining properly and was infested with mosquitoes, he said, adding his two sons caught dengue.

The Barbados Meteorological Services said the tropical wave would continue to bring heavy downpours. Some of the earlier rain was accompanied by thunder and lightning and a flash flood watch was in effect up to midnight. (SAT)

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