Though the torrential downpour of rain on Tuesday was not as heavy compared to the same time last week, several residents in low-lying communities throughout New Providence were fearful of rapidly rising floodwater.

 The Nassau Guardian toured eastern, southern and northern parts of New Providence yesterday and observed moderate to severe flooding in Pinewood Gardens and Elizabeth Estates.

 There was also moderate flooding in pockets of Yamacraw Hill Road, Prince Charles Drive and Kemp Road.

 Along Jacaranda Street in Pinewood Gardens, two submerged sofa beds were propped up against the front door of a house, which was surrounded by several feet of water.

 There were several other houses that appeared to be on the verge of experiencing a similar fate.

Ena Burrows, a resident of that street, agreed that the rainfall Tuesday was no comparison to last week, but she pointed out several inches of water, which had already seeped into her home.

 "Like I said, if the rain continues to go on I don't know what is going to happen, whether it will be as bad as last week or worse," said Burrows, who added that the water level last week was knee-deep.

Burrows pleaded for the government to assist residents by frequently maintaining the drainage wells in the area.

 Senior engineers in the Ministry of Works revealed this week that the majority of drainage wells in Pinewood Gardens were either severely clogged or simply did not do what they were intended to do.

 A father and son team spent hours clearing debris and garbage that was floating in the street to avoid further blocking of the grates of those drainage wells.

 Andrew Newbold, 60, said he and his father began collecting his neighbor's garbage for fear that the contents may block the grates and exacerbate the situation.

 "The garbage truck has not been here for a good while," Newbold said. Asked whether other residents assisted in the effort, Newbold said, "No one came out. Only me and my daddy."

Meanwhile, Gloria Robinson-Hepburn, 81, a Pigeon Plum Street resident, said she has been confined to her home for the past few days after thunderstorm activity caused severe flooding in that area last week.

Yesterday, half of her driveway was submerged.

Though meteorologists expect thunderstorm activity, torrential rain, flooding and possible tornadoes to persist until Friday night, Robinson-Hepburn said she hoped yesterday was the worst of it.

"I hope it will not be like how it was last week because that was off the chain," Hepburn said.

Despite the rising floodwaters, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) representatives said calls for rescue assistance were scarce.

 Gail Moncur, NEMA's duty officer, said at least one resident who called from eastern New Providence indicated that several inches of water had flooded in homes in her neighborhood, but they opted to stay put instead of being transported to a shelter.

 "Most people have been calling in about whether or not we will continue the assessments...but for the most part in has been sort of quiet," Moncur said around 1 p.m.

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