56 homes flooded in St Thomas

As residents in Bath, St Thomas, and surrounding communities grappled with the effects of heavy rainfall over the weekend, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security says a preliminary report has revealed that 56 houses had been flooded and 313 people affected in the parish. In a release on Monday the ministry said its parish team has continued visiting affected households and is assessing the damage to determine what further assistance is needed. The ministry said it had distributed 30 food packages, seven tarpaulins, 18 water buckets, 18 cleaning kits, 15 blankets, and 35 female and unisex hygiene kits to residents in Bath and surrounding communities, including Johnson Town. It added that the temporary shelter at Bath Primary and Junior High School had been deactivated, but parish officers would continue household visits and damage assessments.

Further relief supplies, including bedding, are to be provided as needs are confirmed. Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr said the ministry remains focused on helping families affected by the severe weather. “Relief supplies are being delivered, assessments are continuing, and our parish team will remain engaged with communities requiring assistance. We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable residents are not left to manage the consequences of this flooding alone,” the minister said in the release. The National Works Agency (NWA), meanwhile, said all roads affected by the heavy rainfall over the three days leading up to Monday had been reopened, although one major corridor remained restricted to single-lane traffic. A house stands half-submerged in floodwaters in Bath, St Thomas, following heavy rainfall over the weekend. NWA Manager of Communication and Customer Services Stephen Shaw said in a…