St Mary Battered by Rains, Residents Create Ways of Transport

St Mary battered by rains, and residents create unique ways of road transportation – On Tuesday, February 1, several businesses and educational institutions in St Mary were forced to close while several employees were marooned due to heavy rain.

Some teachers and students caught in the flooding were thrown a lifeline to which they clung and made their way to a team of rescue workers in Port Maria. The township roadways had water bikes transporting commuters to various locations. The transportation was a spectacle for government workers nearby who were trapped in their offices as the floodwaters climbed.

Some residents shocked by the devastation tried to make sense of the problem, questioning whether the river nearby overflowed its banks. Other residents suggested it was the work of the very residents who poorly disposed of their garbage resulting in blocked drains. 

While many businesses were forced shut, some cleaning appeared to have got underway – other persons could be seen as though attempting to go about their usual business. Ultimately, many failed and were left stuck at the mercy of the rising water and the downpour. While there have been no reports of deaths in the area so far, activities are likely to be impacted well into the week. 

The Court Administration Division has issued a statement advising that the St. Mary Parish court in Port Maria will be closed Wednesday, February 2, 2022 and that during the closure, all matters scheduled for Port Maria will be heard in the Annotto Bay outstation including matters for the Children’s Court. The St. Mary Parish Court will reopen on Thursday, February 3, 2022. 

For more details, watch the full report below: