Chigwell and Old Pen residents in Hanover doubt flood-damaged road repairs will last

Nearly six months after Hurricane Melissa left Chigwell and parts of Old Pen in Hanover underwater, residents are moving forward with recovery while questioning whether recent road repairs can withstand the next downpour.

Where floodwaters once covered the community, traffic is flowing again along a freshly paved route that was completely submerged when the storm hit. Last year, access required an alternative path; now the main road has been raised and shaped so water can run off the surface. Stripped trees, vacant homes, and water marks on light poles remain as reminders of what the area endured.

Vernon Ennis Sr., who lost livestock and crops and said millions of dollars were washed away in a single event, noted the road was once nothing but potholes. "Now people can drive in safe," he said. He does not believe the upgrade will end flooding but hopes "some of the water on the road will minimize." He is rebuilding his livelihood step by step as the wider community regains its footing.

Residents have also welcomed the reopening of roads and progress toward reclaiming the local football field. Even so, unease runs beneath the visible recovery. Some argue the work should have included a retaining wall, pointing to hollowed sections beneath the roadside where runoff could gradually strip away material. "They don't close it to the bank," one resident said, warning that heavy water flowing through the area could erode the structure over time.

Others contend that not enough consultation took place before construction began. "They need to consult the people before they do certain things," one taxpayer said, arguing that authorities cannot simply impose projects on those who fund them through local taxes.

Concerns sharpened after a recent heavy shower, when material was washed back onto the roadway. Without adequate drainage in key spots, residents fear the first serious rain could expose weaknesses in the repairs. For many who have invested years of earnings in their properties, leaving is not an option despite the risks.