A resident of Urban Village in St Catherine described the community’s situation as “semi-stranded” after the passage of Tropical Storm Rafael.

“We’re about 40 percent good,” the man said. Online Observer Visited on Tuesday afternoon. “We’re half stranded.”

This community member’s biggest concern was that residents would be cut off from neighboring towns.

Kent Village is located on the banks of the Rio Cobre River near the Bog Walk Gorge. Since the road becomes impassable during heavy rains, the pass is often closed to vehicular traffic for the safety of drivers. Access to healthcare is a concern for some residents, as public transport is not running and the clinic is located on Bog Walk.

“What are you offering? Pill or medicine? one man asked, mistaking Observer staff for government officials.

He was among a small group of people gathered at a local bar playing a game of dominoes as the rain from Rafael continued.

During the storm, water damage as well as minor flooding occurred on highways in the district. According to local people, there was water leaking from outside along the floor of the bar where the residents took shelter and dripping from the roof, as well as water in the houses in the area.

“A lot of people’s belongings got wet due to this heavy rain,” another resident said.

The area also suffered landslides, rock showers and debris falling on the winding road during the Observer’s visit to the area. Large boulders remained scattered along the pavement, bordered on one side by the Rio Cobre and the other by slide-prone bedrock.