Rising waters threaten homes along Content main road in Williamsfield, Manchester

Concerns are mounting among residents and authorities as steadily rising waters along the Content main road in Williamsfield have now completely submerged parts of the community and continue to threaten nearby homes.

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The unusual flooding, which began after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in late October, has intensified in recent days. Despite Williamsfield’s elevated location, approximately 1,400 feet above sea level, the area’s hilly limestone terrain and position above an underground aquifer appear to be contributing to the sustained water rise.

Photo: Jean Pierre Kavanaugh

According to the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the most recent data shows water depths reaching up to 14 feet at their deepest point. Deputy Managing Director at the WRA, Geoffrey Marshall, confirmed that current levels represent the highest readings since monitoring began earlier this week.

“We are observing the gauges that we installed, and the water level has risen. Right now it’s the highest we have seen since we started monitoring,” Mr. Marshall said in a statement to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). “The gauge we installed on Monday—the readings we have gotten from it—indicates a measure of about 13.13 feet, which reflects a total rise of seven to eight feet since installation,” he added.

While the rare phenomenon has drawn many curious onlookers from near and far, residents say the situation is far from a spectacle.

“This is not an attraction, it’s actually a disaster that is happening to good people,” said Oswald McFarlene, a resident of the affected area. “People’s homes are under water. We can’t even see the top anymore. I understand that people might be interested in seeing it, but this is not a time to be happy and jubilant. People are suffering.”

On Sunday evening, scores of visitors converged along the Content main road, causing significant traffic congestion near the Williamsfield roundabout.

Photo: Jean Pierre Kavanaugh

Mario Mitchell, Councillor for the area, reported that emergency measures have been implemented to safeguard residents and motorists.

“The affected residents have been evacuated for more than a week now, some personally with my assistance, and their belongings are being stored in a secure location,” Councillor Mitchell said. “For the safety of the motoring public, barricades have been placed across the roadway, and we ask that the alternate route via Winston Jones Highway and through Kendal be used. I also want to discourage people from visiting the area because the phenomenon we are experiencing is quite unpredictable.”

“This water has risen before in 1977, it happened again in 2002, and now, after Hurricane Melissa, it’s happening again. The level, however, is historic; we have never seen it at this depth or volume.”

“I spoke this morning with the Water Resources head, and I spoke as well with the Geology unit at the University of the West Indies to get some background on what is happening in the area. A few weeks ago, we began to hear underground rumbling like huge rocks clashin,g and it was at that point that the water began to resurface. So we’re trying to better understand what’s happening.”

Councillor Mitchell indicated the Manchester Municipal Corporation continues to monitor the situation closely, with ongoing assessments expected to determine whether the rising trend will persist. Meanwhile, residents are being urged to remain vigilant and adhere to all safety advisories.

As the waters continue their slow but steady rise, the people of Williamsfield are left to grapple with the uncertainty of what lies ahead, hoping for relief and a swift return to normalcy in their rural community.