The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

MINISTER of Social Services Melanie Griffin said she shared the plight of those living out east last week, as her yard was so flooded that she had to use unusual methods to leave the house.

She said: “I had to have my pants leg rolled up as I went away from my house. I had to then get into a tractor in order to head toward my destination because the jeep I was supposed to go into couldn’t reach my gate because the water was so high. That gives an indication of the level of flooding we were dealing with.

“On Thursday, the water was only partly gone.

“On Friday, it was completely gone. From day one I did a tour through the Yamacraw constituency and most people told me when I toured the area that they were coping given the harsh circumstances caused by the rain. I can say from Winton to Elizabeth, most of the East was affected.

“A team from NEMA was doing preliminary investigations from last week. Police and Ministry of Works personnel were there as well.”

Although the water has now subsided, there has been a lot of damage to furniture in homes, the minister said.

“Most people told me when I toured the Yamacraw area that they were coping despite the problems. I have to say that everyone, even the Fire Department, was on this immediately,” she said.

Mrs Griffin said NEMA was continuing to assess of the damage caused by last week’s floods and “the government will shortly receive NEMA’s recommendations.”

Yesterday, The Tribune also spoke to NEMA’s head, Captain Stephen Russell, who said: “17 assessment team are still in the field now assessing the damage caused by the floods.”

He said NEMA should have solid findings by tomorrow.