Hurricane Season Preparedness Being Ramped Up In St. Elizabeth

The St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Preparedness Committee is ramping up the parish’s readiness for the forecast above-average six-month 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1.

The Committee, on Monday (June 3), hosted a disaster forum in partnership with other State agencies to assess St. Elizabeth’s state of readiness for the season, for which 17 to 25 named storms and eight to 13 hurricanes are projected.

The Corporation’s Parish Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness, Ornella Lewis, told JIS News that the Committee has made preparedness a top priority, given the outlook for the season.

According to Ms. Lewis, one key area of readiness is emergency shelters, noting that approximately 90 official shelters have been identified across schools and community centres as well as contingency shelters that are churches.

“Our shelter managers are on standby. In fact, we actually have an upcoming shelter management conference [on June 26] where we have them doing a bit of refresher courses,” she informed.

“The conference will have presentations from the various agencies where disaster management or shelter management is concerned. This is all done just to bring them up to speed and to provide them with the necessary gears and equipment… needed to manage our shelters properly,” Ms. Lewis added.

Major emphasis is also being placed on public education campaigns across social media and community outreach efforts.

Ms. Lewis stated that residents are being urged to take protective actions like clearing vegetation, stockpiling three days of food and critical supplies, identifying their nearest shelter and medical facility, and securing medications if needed. Additionally, she said having a family disaster plan in place is being encouraged.

“So, I just want to implore our citizens or residents that for the hurricane season, we can prepare in various ways,” Ms. Lewis further pointed out.

Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon, assessed the parish’s readiness level at 95 per cent, based on ongoing mitigation work like drain cleaning to reduce flooding risks, shelter inspections, budgeting for the emergency plan, and securing the necessary emergency supplies.

However, he cautioned residents against complacency, advising them to protect life and property by also making their own timely preparations.

“I would encourage our citizens to ensure that they have the essential items and start to make the necessary preparations from now, because we do not know when a system will occur and we can’t wait for the appointed time,” Councillor Solomon underscored.

Participants in the forum included councillors as well as representatives from the St. Elizabeth Infirmary, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Jamaica Public Service, National Water Commission, Social Development Commission, and St. Elizabeth Health Department.