St. Elizabeth Parish Council Assessing Damage

Mayor of Black River, Councillor Jeremy Palmer, has reported that the St. Elizabeth Parish Council is currently carrying out assessments of damage done by Tropical Storm Nicole, and also providing relief items to affected residents in the parish.
Speaking with JIS News during a tour of Parottee, near Black River, on (September 30), where flood waters have covered much of the roadways and several houses, Mr. Palmer said the parish was severely affected, and the Council is ensuring that the relief agencies reach the most critical areas in a reasonable time.
“We are in the assessment stage, and giving preliminary help to those persons whose roofs are off. We are seeking to get them some tarpaulins, and those who are flooded out, we have been working on things like blankets for them, and emergency foodstuff,” the Mayor said.
He pointed out that he had visited most of the affected communities in St. Elizabeth, noting that the New Market community was the most severely affected, and the National Works Agency (NWA), has been in the area to clear the block roads, and to create safe routes for persons to move out of the area.
“In New Market, all of the springs and ponds are opening up. The NWA has had to put up signs to prevent people from going there, and we had to create a detour around the community of New Market, for people to get out,” the Mayor said.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, told JIS News that he visited the residents of Parottee, and has made representation to obtain blankets and other relief supplies for those affected by flooding.