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Heavy rains create havoc on VI roadways

June 5th, 2024 | Tags: rainfall flooding Pockwood Pond havoc traffic
Flash flooding was experienced in Pockwood Pond today, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
The area of Pockwood Pond before it became impassable today, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
The area of Pockwood Pond before it became impassable today, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Traffic was backed up from Pockwood Pond all the way to Hannah’s Estate for close to two hours before excavators were employed to channel the water away from the road as well as remove the amount of debris and sand. Photo: Team of Reporters
Traffic was backed up from Pockwood Pond all the way to Hannah’s Estate for close to two hours before excavators were employed to channel the water away from the road as well as remove the amount of debris and sand. Photo: Team of Reporters
An excavator clearing the road of debris at Pockwood Pond this evening, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
An excavator clearing the road of debris at Pockwood Pond this evening, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
First District Representative Dr the Hon Karl Dawson left the comfort of his home to help clear the road of debris in Carrot Bay this evening, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
First District Representative Dr the Hon Karl Dawson left the comfort of his home to help clear the road of debris in Carrot Bay this evening, June 5, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- Flash floods were experienced across the [British] Virgin Islands this afternoon, June 5, 2024, due to a heavy downpour, causing some roads to become impassable.

The heavens opened just after 4:00 PM and did not let up until around 6:30 PM, which caused a traffic nightmare due to some roads being inundated or covered with rocks.

The road in the area of Pockwood Pond, close to Delta Gas Station, became impassable due to the extreme force and depth of the water, which also brought a large amount of debris.

Traffic was backed up all the way to Hannah’s Estate for close to two hours before excavators were employed to channel the water away from the road as well as remove the amount of debris and sand.

Flooding reported in various areas of Tortola

Reports are there have been flooding in Towers, Sea Cows Bay, Prospect Reef and Carrot Bay.

First District Representative Dr the Hon Karl Dawson was spotted helping to clear the road of debris in Carrot Bay, even while it was raining.

There have also been reports of retaining walls being compromised in the ‘Elevator Hill’ area.

More rain possible

According to a weather tracker, at around 8:00 PM, doppler radar was showing heavy thunderstorms moving in a northeasterly direction towards the Territory in the next few hours.

With the area being heavily saturated after experiencing more than 2 inches of rainfall earlier today, any further showers will enhance the possibility of flooding, the source said.

As some areas have experienced extreme rock fall, loose debris and dangerous road conditions due to rain run-off, residents are urged to exercise caution while driving. Motorists have also been asked to refrain from driving through flooded roads as these conditions can be life-threatening.

It was on May 7, 2024, that parts of Road Town were left underwater due to heavy rainfall.

35 Responses to “Heavy rains create havoc on VI roadways”

  • 2024 (05/06/2024, 22:59) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    hindsight is 20/20 therefore can we the people anticipate more attention to Home Affairs because the politicians can see what needs improvements each time the rain falls in the territory
  • he only cleaning town ghuts (05/06/2024, 23:23) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    KYE won't clean the sea cows bay ghuts, so see the results now?
  • Heavy hmmm. ? (06/06/2024, 00:44) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
    Don't know what was heavy about the little Rain that came...It may look like a lot because it doesn't take much to flood the place and open up existing porous pot holes. When heavy rain do come for like 1 hr. We going need Dinghies to get around Road Town, or stay lock down..
  • Styles. (06/06/2024, 01:20) Like (64) Dislike (9) Reply
    Hey Natalio,

    Enjoy your parties.
    Enjoy your travels.
    Enjoy the grants your ministers dashed out.

    You’re the “leader” of a third world country who thinks he can live a lavish lifestyle.

    Every year we have several tropical systems coming through. Yet we have not improved one bit in how we handle it over the last years.

    In the meantime you keep wasting time and money.
  • asura (06/06/2024, 02:09) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    rain rain go away, this is my working day!
  • Anonymous (06/06/2024, 02:56) Like (2) Dislike (27) Reply
    More BS from the crazy girl blaming the premier for the rains she has been bought
  • huh (06/06/2024, 03:01) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    What happened to disaster management early warning us...I thought this was one of their rolls. !! No early warning from government to leave schools./ work early so roads are kept clear.
    • Hmmmm (06/06/2024, 08:19) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      DDM can't legally issue a flood warning, that has to come from Antigua and by time it's issued the damage is done. BVI does not have its own Meterogical office.
      • @hmmm (07/06/2024, 11:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        something we should invest in rather than parties and plane tickets right??
  • solution (06/06/2024, 03:31) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    The unfortunate weather should be studied during these times. I think drones should be flown during these abnormal weather's collecting critical data that should be studied carefully. With such data it can be determined what's driving these significant floods. Is just the amount of water verses are there too many ghuts are connected. New landscaping/houses can also be a contributing factor. Possible diversion can be created to minimize pressure, etc.
    • @solution (06/06/2024, 08:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have noticed that the introduction of two new properties has affected the water flow, and has contributed in erosion problem that we are experiencing in my neighborhood.
      • To @solution (06/06/2024, 13:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        When we look at the source of the muddy water that enters CGB Beach everytime it rains, it is obvious that the property in the area does not belong there. This is going to have long term adverse consequences on the island which is already being seen.
        • Nature (07/06/2024, 17:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          Mother Nature just might get angry enough to knock that big eyesore down and wash it straight into the ocean.
  • We in trouble (06/06/2024, 05:17) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    The BVI is failing because they think so high and mighty of themselves when they were rich powerful and on top, they wanted to do everything US and ignore the Caribbean model that have proven effective, 1/Force buildings to build the Appropriate septic base on their building size in their yard space. 2/Build their roads with Cable back, high in the middle, 3/ Use 3ft Culvert to take the water to the sea that is no more than 50ft from all main roads makes it an easy task, . We won't have all these flooding and sewage issues .
  • Really (06/06/2024, 06:16) Like (1) Dislike (16) Reply
    I just want you all to think for just a split second because you all don't but just think about what I have to say. In the biblical times it didn't have any floods beside the Noah's Ark made up story which was really the great reset which was poison by water which they are still doing. What did the people do in biblical days when it rain,snowed like crazy with those houses that was made with palm and coconut trees or pure sheet rock. Can you think about that. Do go back to the teaching just use your head and ask your own family and people you know. After the lockdown NO ONE should trust ALL politicians or leader of this devil Earth. The government is for filling that man made Bible which is the devil's book. Prove me wrong. You can't have a Bible and say it's from the creator and you can use it to read the same verses for witchcraft. The devil's book can be used for witchcraft. Why is the God in the Bible so wicked it's because he's the One eye devil god. Except this earth for what it's is. My father said be fruitful and multiple he brings Life. The devil god in the Bible destroys and depopulate. Wake up the Bible tells you the trust to good and bad but you have to know the creator is PURE GOOD. Agenda 2030 is you will own nothing and be happy to you really think the creator put you here with everything when your born because you don't have any money to be independent so how is it you have hospital bills and you are in debt before your a day old. You made that Bill. Wake up people. Back in the days was a lot of deception but think about the technology and where we're going. Look at all the robots replacing people jobs is that from the creator. Stop being dumb people
  • headline (06/06/2024, 06:54) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    Your headline should read, Government lack of investment in road and drainage causes havoc on VI roads
  • Dept of Disaster Management (06/06/2024, 07:26) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Closed today due to unforeseen weather related circumstance's .
  • what a thing to tell the king (06/06/2024, 07:37) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    What happen to DDM warning us AHEAD OF TIME about this !! Or government telling everyone to close schools early yesterday..BEFORE this happene so that we could all get home safely !!
    Joke
    • @Whatatthing... (06/06/2024, 08:30) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      Why are you so reliant on DDM? Streups! Do your own daily research. I agree that DDM has a role to play, but no longer live in an era where we solely rely on these people. I was not surprised by the weather yesterday because I expected it.
      • @ what a thing (06/06/2024, 09:32) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        Like you I personally was find because, like you I monitor the weather each and every day for the following day .
        What I. Saying is that we are a reactive government. Ddm should also be monitoring this ahead of time and informing the people of upcoming weather threats and coordinate and advise the government what should be done for us the people to prevent possible danger to life.. we hare spending what..20 Lillian on a new DDM headquarters yet we don't have a department monitoring weather threats....they tell us of tropical systems out in the Atlantic.. why not imminent threats to our shores.
        That is thenpoint that I was trying to make.
        Keep safe
  • jah jah (06/06/2024, 07:43) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The DG just needs to make an announcement right now. People place flood, people business flood, the roads are impassable with fallen debris and flooded from the rain. Now the condition of roads will be an absolute horror! Jah, please save the BVI from waste, incompetence and constant relapses of disarray!
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (06/06/2024, 08:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    do not destroy the biodivesity tropical environment of the british virgin islands. the trees and the boulders prevent mudslide and landslides and flooding. the mangroves are very important to the environment.
  • Tortola people. SMH (06/06/2024, 08:45) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
    You guys playing with Gods work. Tell me wbat government can possibly do to stop mother nature from doing what it have to do. NOTHING ! SO people pray and give thanks that we are not consumed.
  • Really (06/06/2024, 09:47) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
    Like I keep saying look at the sky you will know when it has terrible weather coming. You all will trust the same people trying to kill you. The Chem trail planes lets off artificial clouds. Go look up cloud seeding because you all need knowledge in this New World order time. Listen to the ocean because the blow up bombs under the water. Go look at under Paris on Netflix they show you how they do it. Movies is to teach you what they are doing to trick you . The devil have to warm us with the World stage scrip which is everything on tv, radio, history etc. The government wants to flood here and leave you all stressed out to kill yourself. Suicide don't exist here well they want it high. Stay strong through all the hard times people. Pray to the Almighty creator not the middle man Jesus Christ. Anyone before the father is a middle man. He comes first everyone else comes after. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him but you praise Jesus Christ which is the anti Christ before him. You all worship Jesus Christ like he was your father when he's supposed to be your brother. Let me understand you praise your brother before your father in this Earth. You all see it for what it is you've been tricked bad bad. Wisdom, understanding and knowledge is the key to this Matrix world. Book sense to me is dumb because you only learn what the devil wants you to learn you didn't think.
  • No Vision (06/06/2024, 10:23) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The bvi is lacking proper drain when it has this type rain next things is that government an management of public work don’t care about we the people drains are never clean or cleared the bvi is getting worst than it is 10 years ago
  • @Really (06/06/2024, 10:45) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope the men in white coats come for you soon and get you the help you need!
  • WOW (06/06/2024, 10:51) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    First District Representative Dr the Hon Karl Dawson left the comfort of his home to help clear the road of debris in Carrot Bay this evening, luckily there was a cameraman on scene to capture the moment.
  • BuzzBvi (06/06/2024, 11:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the DDM getting paid for? What do they do?
  • @ JAH JAH & NO VISION (06/06/2024, 13:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    NAH , REMEMBER WE ALWAYS GOT A SCAPEGOAT TO PIN THE BLAME ON , THE LAST FLOOD WE HAD , IT WAS PINNED ON AN OLD MATRESS AND THE INNER PLASTIC DRUM OF A WASHING MACHINE , SO WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING TO GET THE BLAME THIS TIME ????

  • Bush Professor. (06/06/2024, 13:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The (British) Virgin Islands (VI) save for Anegada( the drowned island) is hilly terrain. Tortola, the main island with the VI capital city Road Town is hilly central.. As such, runoff, mudslides will be a problem and challenge. Nevertheless, some actions are needed to mitigate the mudslide problem, viz, a) enhance frequency of maintenance, b) stabilizing slopes either by mechanical means or by vegetation, c) improving drainage, d) improve road network design, ie, raising elevation, road side ditches, etc.

    On another, why the grates on roads in Purcell are still floating off in 2024? Why are they not bolted down? Why has a box culvert not put in place yet? Furthermore, the outfall from Purcell Ghut should be at a higher elevation than the sea.
  • Razazzria (06/06/2024, 19:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    And that's why, "Bush Professor", proper drainage should have been had, in the lower down town areas, to mitigate, these types of issues..

    ..Again, such a small amount of rain, and major, major damages!

    Hurricane season is upon us..Now is the time for culverts, ghuts, drainage areas, and loose debris,to be cleared immediately!

    ..If this was a warning of the season ahead of us, we certainly have been caught off guard..
  • SCB (07/06/2024, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sea Cow Bay area the some of the worst drainage issues !!! it really needs looking into.


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