6,000 Persons In 382 Shelters

Approximately 6,000 persons are currently in 382 shelters across the island, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

He gave the update during a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management in Kingston on Tuesday (October 28).

A total of 581 persons occupy 45 shelters in Kingston and St. Andrew; Clarendon, more than 865 persons in 39 shelters; Westmoreland, more than 500 persons in 33 shelters; St. Mary, more than 500 persons in 27 shelters; St. Catherine, 394 persons in 27 shelters; Portmore, 74 persons in eight shelters; St. Thomas, 609 persons in 18 shelters; Manchester, 135 persons in 23 shelters; Hanover, 261 persons in 19 shelters; St. James, 209 persons in 30 shelters; Trelawny, 313 persons in 10 shelters; Portland, 541 persons in 59 shelters; and St. Elizabeth, 289 persons in 26 shelters.

All of the country’s 881 shelters are now opened to accommodate individuals during and after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The Minister continued to appeal to residents in flood-prone and high-risk communities to utilise the island’s emergency shelters as the systems begins to impact the island.

“I hope within the next hour, when I get an update, I will see persons in shelters and we will see more people responding. Jamaica, this is not the time to be brave. I have been saying for one week, don’t bet against Melissa; it is a bet we can’t win,” he said.

“Whatever windows [of opportunity] are available, I am asking those especially in St. Elizabeth and those areas who can move, to do so at this time,” he appealed.

Minister McKenzie indicated that calls are coming in from residents in St. Elizabeth, noting that assistance is being provided as best as possible.

“I have given instructions to ODPEM to advise the disaster coordinators and the members of parliament and the mayors … to do everything that is possible to provide the transportation to take the people out,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said there have been reports of widespread impact across several parishes. These include increased number of land slippages, flooding, fire, storm surge and power outages.

He indicated that most of the roads in St. Thomas, Portland and St. Catherine that were blocked by fallen trees, poles and landslides have been cleared.

He said that Caribbean Terrace in St. Andrew is experiencing flooding.

Minister McKenzie said that the roving teams will continue to carry out operations as long as it is safe to do so.

“The roving teams that have been prepositioned, have been responding. Once the reports are sent to the team, they are out there doing the work. If you’re in an area where there is blockage or fallen trees, you can send us the information, and once that is possible we will send a team out,” he said.

Minister McKenzie said that plans are already under way regarding Jamaica’s recovery and commended front-line workers and members of the media for the work that they have been doing.