Frustration, fear over Maraval flooding; residents, businesses count losses

Residents and business owners in Maraval voiced their frustrations, fears and concerns after heavy rain and flooding wreaked havoc on the area on November 23.

When Newsday visited on November 24, the flooding had subsided, but clean-up efforts by residents and businesses were still under way.

One resident on Saddle Road spoke to Newsday on condition of anonymity.

The 68-year-old woman, who lives next to her 95-year-old father and 93-year-old mother, said their homes were badly affected by the flooding.

"The water came all the way inside my parents' house. It affected a couple bedrooms and in the living room it came to the first steps."

The woman showed Newsday inside her parents' house, as well as the backyard

She told Newsday the furniture from the living room had been power-washed and put at the back of the house to dry, as it was muddied and wet from the floods.

Newsday also noticed mountains of cushions packed on a counter inside the house.

"All the Christmas decorations – lights and tree – were also destroyed," the woman said frantically.

Wearing  clothes muddied by  hours of clean-up, she bent over on at least three occasions, holding her knees, as she struggled with the strain of standing for too long.

She hunched in exhaustion, each movement revealing the toll the effort had taken, as she sought  relief from the discomfort.

"Thankfully, the men that work for me called and asked if we needed help. We began cleaning around 8 am today and it's about 2.30 pm. I've only sat down once for the day."

When Newsday left around 2.45 pm, the clean-up was far from complete.

The woman also said a tank in the back of the house fell over and a pipe was broken.

She said her family has done its part in trying to mitigate the effects of flooding at their homes.

"We have put a hump at the top of the driveway and put check valves on all the river exits.

"We have sent men multiple times in the river to clear the (tree) roots that cover the check valves. We have done everything humanly possible to save ourselves as no one is coming to help."

She said they have asked the authorities for help, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

She said her elderly father lives in fear each time it rains.

"With global warming and the intensity of the rain now, it's very scary.

"We are grateful that we all have life, but it is upsetting that we have to spend all this time and money cleaning."

She estimated that the damage and clean-up efforts would cost her between $4,000-5,000 and said it could be even higher when all the efforts were finished.

Newsday also spoke to two businesses in Royal Palm Plaza, Maraval.

The supervisor of one business said the flooding affected its opening hours.

She said, "Water came inside all the way down to the end. We closed at 6 pm on Saturday, when we usually close at 11 pm.

"Today we opened at 12 noon, when we usually open at 8 am."

She said while the flood did not affect any of the stock, the clean-up took considerable time and effort.

The owner of Chixx Wing Stop has been at Royal Palm Plaza since July and said November 23 was the first time they have experienced flooding there.

"My mum and daughter were here while I was on a sale in Diego Martin, and they said everything was fine.

"Four minutes later, my chef had to put my daughter on her back to run out the store. The water flooded in from the back."

She said roughly three feet of water took over her 700-square-foot business.

"We couldn't get out when the water came in. Water comes in from the back when it rains. It just rushed straight in this time."

She estimated the damage and clean-up cost at roughly $8,000.

"We lost a lot of money by being closed – six hours of sales – plus our chef had a catering job to do.

"We are still assessing the damage. Everything seems to be working, but we won't know until we finish clean."

She said while she was relieved her mother and daughter were safe, she was crushed when she came and saw her business flooded.

She knows flooding will affect her business again, saying it was inevitable.

On November 24, MP for Diego Martin North/East, Colm Imbert shared pictures of Irwin Avenue via X (formerly Twitter) of the clean-up work in Maraval at 12 noon.

He said in the caption, "After yesterday's torrential rains in Maraval, government workers are out in force today, cleaning and clearing the affected roads.

"They were also out up to midnight last night. A special shout out to the Ministers of Local Government and Works who are in the field working hard."

Newsday visited La Seiva, which was badly affected by the floods, around 3 pm.

One resident from Irwin Avenue said flooding usually happens once or twice a year.

"What happens is the Maraval River and water from upper La Seiva backs up and meets."

He said a clean-up had been  started, but stopped.

"They started around 9 am today and were here until around 1 pm."

Newsday saw half Irwin Avenue still under thick piles of mud and debris.

A release from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (RDLG) on November 24 said it had mobilised its resources and teams to support all communities affected by the rain, flooding and fallen trees.

"RDLG swiftly activated its co-ordinated response in collaboration with critical stakeholders, including the Diego Martin Borough Corporation, the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the TT Fire Service, and the CEPEP Company Ltd.

"On November 24, clean-up efforts have broadened to additional affected areas, including La Seiva, Carenage, Chuma Monka in Petit Valley, and Crystal Stream. Ground teams continue to address the aftermath of landslides, flooding, and debris, working diligently to restore normalcy as quickly as possible."