Teams from the St. Ann Municipal Corporation have been out assessing the damage from last night’s flooding in sections of Runaway Bay and Discovery Bay.

Several homes along the Lakeside gully, between Runaway Bay and Discovery Bay, were impacted, as well as the Runaway Bay Police Station.

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis says he toured affected areas today (Jan 4), accompanied by Councillor for the Sturge Town Division Winston Lawrence and Councillor for the Dry Harbour Division Carlton Ricketts.

He says a report on the assessment of damage will be submitted to the Local Government Minister.

He says the Lakeside gully overflowed its banks and even after the water subsided, sections along the North Coast Highway, which runs next to the gully, were covered with mud, silt, rocks, and other debris.

Mayor Belnavis says clean up operations have started, with heavy duty equipment brought in to clear the affected roadways.

He says pumps were used to assist residents in removing water from their homes.

Mayor Belnavis says the affected residents will be able to still occupy their homes after clean up.

He adds that a septic system in runway bay overflowed.

The National Water Commission and Health Department have been asked to rectify the situation.

Meantime, Mayor Belnavis says last nights flood water in the Runaway Bay square, was as high as 4 feet.

He says vehicles in the parking lot at the Runaway Bay police station had water up to the door handles.

He says the authorities had to break a nearby wall, and create an opening to allow water to run off into the sea.

The Mayor says deforestation on the surrounding hillside is a contributing factor to the flooding in the square.