Sunday, August 19th, 2007...2:19 pm
Treasure Beach canal opened for Dean
Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer
Almost two years after work started on the Great Pond canal in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, the access way was finally opened early yesterday morning to drain excess water caused by Hurricane Dean, from the pond into the sea.
Stephen Shaw, communications manager at the National Works Agency (NWA) confirmed in an interview with The Gleaner that work crews had finally broken through from the canal into the pond at one end and into the sea at the other end.
This development eased somewhat the fears of residents of Great Bay and Calabash Bay, whose homes were flooded on several occasions in recent years as the pond overflowed its banks.
It was during the passage of Hurricane Wilma in October 2005 that the greatest damage was done with the flood waters forcing more than a dozen families to abandon their homes for several weeks.
The NWA and other state agencies decided then that canals would have to be dug, linking the pond to the sea, thereby serving as a means of draining excess water away from the community into the sea.
Work started shortly thereafter on the first of the planned canals, less than a mile long, close to the Calabash Bay beach, but proceeded at a snails pace, leaving vulnerable residents in great fear.
As Hurricane Dean approached, there were concerns that, even after many months of lobbying, the canal would not be ready for the expected heavy rainfall.
Mr. Shaw conceded that work had not yet been completed but expressed optimism that the makeshift preparations would serve to avert disaster.
17 Comments
August 19th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Thank God that the access way from the Great Pond Canal to the sea is finally opened.To all my friends in Calabash Bay and Great Bay,please be strong. I am praying for you all.
August 19th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Would a better idea not be to not build houses in the flood zone ?????
August 19th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
We’re watching this closely in Texas and pray for the safety of Jamaicans.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
This is really good news and especially so for this area which was hit heavily by Rita and Ivan in the past years. Building the canal was a superb idea!
August 19th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Hang on a moment. The land between pond and sea has been dug out?
Are the one- way flow gates installed?
If not, when the sea surge comes, Pedro Great Pond will fill up with sea water – and flood water. What then? The mind boggles.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Good to know that access is finally made for the troublesome Great Pond. Residents should now be
relieved!!!!!
August 19th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Praying for Jamaicans that God will protect you all.
August 19th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
they opened the canal,after finishing the walls,a lot of properties are in danger,but NWA does not care,
they had time enough to finish!even land owners are not paid,but Jamaica is a rich counry and they have to deal with the insurance,hopefully no life is gone,
but Great Bay is not out of the woods,this pond can still flooding the area,because there is no connection to protect Great Bay,thank you Mr.Shaw ,how you will explain the disaster?can you live with it?but after the election you will find a new job-undertaker?!
August 19th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I am praying for all Jamaicans at this time, the Lord is with you all. I have family living in St Elizabeth, does anyone know what is happening there?
August 19th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
highly bless to the land and people of Jamaica my prayers and thoughts are you out there we will come from this in a good shape
August 19th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
does anyone knows what going on in Montego Bay
August 19th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
MY HOPE IS EVERYONE IS SAFE
August 20th, 2007 at 7:38 am
hi anyone know if my family is ok john, hyo jessie winston theresa gordons in treasure beach i cannt to them through to them .
thanks
August 20th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Prayers have been extended to everyone in Jamaica. Does anyone know what’s going on in Vere, Clarendon. The phone lines seem to be down. I have been trying to call relatives since 7pm last night on their house phone and keep getting busy signal.
Tnx
August 20th, 2007 at 8:36 am
I have family in Comma Pen Alligator pond, has anyone hear anything from there??
August 20th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Hoping to link up with family from st. Elizabeth (Banga & Tia), and the entire Yorke family.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:31 am
My friend Kory South is the manager/owner of the Sunset resort in Treasure Beach and he told me the damage was due to the high winds. The sea was calmer and the storm surge much less than with Ivan. His resort lost a big sign, many trees such as palm and lignum vitae, satellite dish etc. All of Kory’s family is safe, Lydia Clark, his children and staff. I am a property owner in the olde Wharf area and Kory told me we were high and dry. He owns the lot next to me.
I spoke with Negril friends and my friend Asea Beeput told me that Negril is unharmed and was sunny today. There was a little damage due to the high winds. Another friend of mine told me that he lost a roof in the Green Island area, so the hurricanes winds took a path across our beloved island.
I hope all Jamaicans are safe and help one another. Out of many, one people!!!
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