Bachelor’s Hall residents tired of being flooded out

Haunted by the Plantain Garden River that rises every time it rains, residents of Bachelor's Hall in St Thomas are again sounding an alarm for help.

Describing their situation as desperate, residents of the small farming community told THE STAR that most of their hard work has been dented by flooding over the years. As heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Elsa continue to impact the island, the despondent citizens are afraid that this year will be no different.

"We have a big problem whenever it rains. It destroys our produce, kills our livestock and flows right through the house," said Brenda-Lee McCalla. "The last time the water come in the yard and kill my chickens and my pigs. Right now mi have to break down mi pig pen and let out some of the animals because mi know if they stay in there dem going to drown."

A goat cosily sheltering on her small verandah bore testament to her story. McCalla, who lives with her six children, noted that the flood water also threatens her home.

"More while it flow straight in and mash up all mi furniture dem. Years it a gwaan and we talk and really don't know what else to do. We need the Government to step in and do something for us because the river and the land become one," she said.

Her neighbour, Shenley Miles, shared that he has been washed out of his house six times since last year. As he watched flood waters rise in his backyard yesterday, the elderly farmer told THE STAR that he is bracing for 'episode seven'.

Miles noted "Each time the river burst it come across on the land, flood out all the house. Everything. Last year it flood about six times and see it start again. The river needs to be fixed. Whenever this happens nothing can't be save. Everything wash out... tomato, pumpkin. I planted some plums those wash out too." Miles said that he can't evacuate because he has nowhere else to go.