Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

This man from Lindo's Wrecking Service tries to remove a car out of flood waters in a parking lot at MegaMart in Waterloo Road, St. Andrew. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/ Staff Photographer

Hurricane Dean struck indirectly, yesterday at MegaMart located at 29 Upper Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, when water from the Sandy Gully swelled and overflowed the parking lot, covering at least three cars.

Several onlookers had converged at the rear of the compound when The Gleaner team arrived, as a Toyota Corolla station wagon was seen with water up to its windows. Other cars, which were covered by water, all had their bonnets up as persons worked to restart their vehicles.

Reports are that, about 1:30 p.m., the Sandy Gully, which is located at the back of the compound, became inundated following afternoon showers which were added to water already flowing as a result of Hurricane Dean. The gully overflowed its banks, covering several cars in the process. The management of the company used a tractor to break a section of the wall to release some of the water.

The owner of the car was visibly upset when she spoke to The Gleaner.

"I was inside the store when I heard the commotion and, when I came outside, in about five minutes the water rose and covered my car," she said.

The owner, who refused to give her name, said the management of the store took her details but she could not confirm whether she would receive compensation.

At their own risk

One manager at the store would not comment on whether those affected by the water would receive any reimbursement. A sign is, however, on the wall of the parking lot telling customers that they park at their own risk.

One onlooker at the scene, however, believed the store owners should not stand the claim for any damage as the behaviour of citizens and the Government caused the occurrence.

"People must learn not to throw their garbage in the gullies. Look at what happen this evening, the Government should also be blamed because they are not cleaning the gullies effectively."

A wrecker arrived at 2:30 p.m. pulling the Toyota Corolla out of the water, and a tractor followed afterward, pushing water through the wall into the gully.

This is the second time water from the Sandy Gully has affected the wholesale store as, in 2004, the same retaining wall at the back was destroyed by water associated with Hurricane Ivan.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com