Residents Fed Up With Flooding After Weekend Downpour

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – While Tropical Storm Imelda is long gone, heavy rain over the holiday weekend reminded Pinewood Gardens residents of an issue they’ve dealt with for decades: flooding.

Several communities across New Providence were hit hard over the weekend. Social media was flooded with videos of residents trying to make their way through the high waters.

When I revisited Pinewood Tuesday morning, it was no different than a few weeks ago: brackish water covered roads, making it difficult to drive or walk, with massive potholes hidden beneath the surface.

Marco Mackey – Resident
“It een make no sense too much water they need to try get it fix.”

Inside one neighborhood store, a woman could be seen mopping up water. She told me that after living in Pinewood for 30 years, her day-to-day life hasn’t gotten any easier.

A taxi driver, Chea Rodgers, flagged me down, saying the flooding has not only affected his livelihood but his family as well.

Chea Rodgers – Taxi Driver
“Every time it rain or we have a heavy rain water is settle for like weeks straight and we don’t have no no way to get in or get out. So when my child been to school, I have to let her put her clothes on in the car in the car to get to school.”

Experts say when it rains, the water table rises underneath the land, and combined with human activity and impervious surfaces, it creates a costly and frustrating cycle for residents.

Government officials recently hosted a town hall meeting to present plans for a new drainage system in the area.

In the short term, the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs says teams are working around the clock to pump water from the community.

But this resident says he’s heard it all before.

Resident
“When time for vote you can see them. After that ya finish. So right now I’m scared to vote right now, it’s a problem. I’m getting nothing out of it. I don’t want a fridge, I don’t want no stove, I don’t want nothing. Just so what y’all supposed to do in the community, that’s all we ask.”