SEVERAL motorists and their passengers yesterday expressed fear for their lives as they slowly made their way along the flooded Palisadoes road — the only access road to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport and Port Royal.
The problem-plagued road, which took a battering during the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and which was again flooded during Hurricane Dean last August, was yesterday inundated with heavy flood water washed onto the road by rising tides. Motorists said they also had to contend with debris washed from the sea.
It was particularly frightening for Jamaicans returning to the island, some of whom said they were not aware of the problem.
Stephen Shaw, communications manager at the National Works Agency (NWA), said they managed to clear the roadway and open it up to two-lane traffic by midday yesterday. Another clean-up, he said, was planned for later in the afternoon to rid the roadway of any additional debris.
"…While it is possible for someone to drive through water it is a bit more challenging to do so when there is debris," Shaw told the Observer in a telephone interview.
Shaw said while he did not know what to expect for today his agency would be on standby with its equipment to address any need which may arise.
And the NWA’s help may well be needed if the high tides remain.
"The condition will remain whilst the weather remains the same because at this point in time there are no protective barriers against the wind which is driving the waves, the sand and the debris onto the road," said Ronald Jackson, the director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
He said the ODPEM would continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of motorists.
In the meantime, Mike Henry, the transport and works minister, said stones were being stockpiled along the roadway to continue revetment of the harbour side to prevent water overflowing onto the road. However, money for major work to address the problem has not yet been released.
Henry said a dredger on its way from Trinidad for work on the Falmouth Pier in Trelawny would also be used for work on the strip. But it was not sure if Kingston would get first priority in using the equipment, as Henry said this would depend on what is in place when it arrives in another few weeks.
The words from the minister provided little comfort to motorists, some of whom recounted their horrific experience of “driving through the sea".
"Yesterday (Saturday) we were driving along the road and then all of a sudden when we got
