Very Few in Western Shelters

MONTEGO BAY – The number of persons in shelters across western Jamaica is diminishing, as most of them are returning home, following the passing of Hurricane Sandy.

Checks with Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinators in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny have revealed that at mid-day today (October 25), the number of persons in shelters has dropped from 295 to just 14.

JIS News was informed  that most of the persons going into shelters did so as a precautionary measure. The parish of St. Elizabeth had 5 persons in shelters and the five still remain today; while Trelawny had 28, with nine remaining today.

Westmoreland saw a high of 88, with all returning home today.  Hanover had 158  persons, with all returning home today, while St. James had 16, with all returning home.

The Disaster Co-ordinators in all five parishes reported minor infrastructural damage.  In Trelawny there were reports of two land slippages, with vehicular traffic reduced to one lane in both areas, one on the Lowe River main road and the other on the Joe Hut main road.
Motorists are being advised to proceed with care on those roadways, and to follow the instructions of flagmen.

In St. Elizabeth there are reports of several roadways being difficult to navigate, because of several downed trees and other debris. The main problem experienced in Hanover was downed power lines.

In St. James, Mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, is urging motorists to approach the Spring Mount and Tangle River roads with caution.