JUTC on Standby for Evacuations

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) emergency response operations are in full effect with teams on standby for evacuation at Rockfort, Spanish Town, Portmore and all rural school bus regions.

Addressing Monday’s (October 27 ) special press briefing to update the nation on preparations for Hurricane Melissa, at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, urged persons in flood-prone and vulnerable communities to take the opportunity to evacuate.

“There is going to be massive flooding that is going to require persons to relocate from their existing locations,” he said.

He noted that the JUTC has responded to several calls for evacuation since Saturday (October 25) but pointed out that the numbers have been low.

“The figures up to 11:00 a.m. are 148. There has been an uptick but still way [below] what is required for a category five hurricane – only one person in Port Royal; 42 from Tower Street, Rae Town; 15 Rocky Point, Portland Cottage; and Parity and Sandy Bay 55,” he indicated.

He urged citizens in these areas to heed the warnings of the Government and the Meteorological Service to seek safe shelter ahead of the storm.

Meanwhile, regular JUTC bus operations have been suspended, with only emergency services active.

Minister Vaz advised that the rural school buses have been activated to assist in the emergency transportation of persons.

“[These] will play a critical role in rural Jamaica. We have over 60 school buses that are in all parishes. Those will be utilised,” he informed.

The Transport Minister said that all toll booths on the east-west and the north-south highways are open, and the airports will remain closed until further notice.