The National Works Agency (NWA) has dispatched work teams across the northeastern parishes of Portland, St. Mary and St. Ann to clear roadways that have been affected by landslips and fallen trees, due to rainfall over the past four (4) days. These activities will be ongoing as rain is still affecting these areas, and NWA Officers are now in the field assessing the situation.
Natalee Bloomfield, Community Relations officer at the NWA says that in St. Mary, equipment and personnel have been deployed to the Junction roadway, from Agualta Vale to Tom’s River, to clear landslips. In St. Ann, fallen trees are being removed from the Claremont to Harmony Vale roadway and within the Fern Gully along the Hopewell to Ocho Rios control section. She says that these roadways are currently partially blocked and still remain at risk, so road users are being asked to exercise caution while travelling along roadways in these areas.
Portland continues to experience rainfall and minor landslips. A section of the Balcarres to Wakesfield control section in the Buff Bay Valley, in the vicinity of Spring Hill, which was totally blocked by landslides, is now partially reopened and accessible to single laned traffic. Motorists are being advised to exercise extreme caution within the Buff Bay Valley, especially in the Spring Hill and Plum Valley areas that are prone to landslides, falling trees and falling rocks.