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Flood Damage Mitigation Efforts in a Small Mountainous Community in Jamaica

by M. Stephen Lawrence, Underground Water Authority, Kingston, Jamaica,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering Hydrology

Abstract:

About 60 percent of the mountainous Caribbean island of Jamaica is underlain by karstic limestone. 'Sinkholes' in this limestone form the natural outlets to many surface waters. During periods of heavy rainfall, rapid stormwater runoff is sometimes constrained by the limited capacity of these sinkholes, resulting in flooding. The small rural community of Aenon Town typically suffers from this phenomenon, and a multi-disciplinary flood mitigation and prevention project is being implemented for this area with measures which are geared towards reducing future losses. This project is funded by the Government of Jamaica, with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme, and will focus on improving community awareness and preparedness for floods.

Subject Headings: Floods | Mountains | Developing countries | Sinkholes | Mitigation and remediation | Limestone | Surface water | Jamaica | Caribbean

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