Flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Gustav ripped away a retaining wall in front of the Sandy Gully jeopardising homes along Bedford Park Avenue in St Andrew. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

At first glance, everything seems fine for residents living at 18, 20 and 22 Bedford Park, off upper Waterloo Road in St Andrew. However, a walk to the back of one of those homes reveals a totally different story.

For more than 50 years, a retaining wall stood tall, separating the homes from the Sandy Gully, but, on Thursday night, parts of it gave way, bringing with it some of the backyards it secured.

Kristoff Streets, one of the affected residents, recounts his experience.

Explosion

"Around 10:30 last night (Thursday), I felt something like an earthquake or like an explosion under my foot. At that time, I was online, and when the Internet went down, I decided to to go around the back and that is when I saw like a big ditch."

Another homeowner, who requested anonymity, cast the blame on a lack of maintenance. She said reports were made on numerous occasions to authorities after seeing cracks in the wall.