Cayman Islands Premier Views Hurricane Damage In Rocky Point, Clarendon

Cayman Islands Premier, Juliana Yvonne O’Connor-Connolly, toured Rocky Point in Clarendon on Thursday (July 18) to get a first-hand look at the extent of damage from Hurricane Beryl.

The tour was part of a one-day visit to the island by Mrs. O’Connor-Connolly, during which she presented a cheque for US$200,000 to Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, to assist with the country’s relief and recovery efforts.

She was accompanied by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr; representatives from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergecny Management (ODPEM); and members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

Clarendon is one of the parishes along Jamaica’s south coast, which were severely impacted by the hurricane, resulting in significant infrastructure damage and losses in the agriculture sector.

Residents of Rocky Point, which is a fishing community, experienced flooding, and damage and destruction of homes and other structures.

Minister Morris Dixon, who spoke to JIS News, expressed gratitude to the Cayman Government and people for the “significant donation” noting that the Premier “wanted to come to Jamaica to see the damage herself so that she could mobilise more assistance from the Jamaican community [in Cayman]”.

“It is significant damage. A lot of people are hurting, and every opportunity for others internationally to see what is happening here and to lend their support, it is one that we want to take,” she added.

Dr. Morris Dixon commended the work of the various response agencies, including the JDF, which is in the community helping with relief and will be involved in the rebuilding efforts.

Teams from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security have been going house to house to conduct damage assessments and provide relief items.

“They are part of that awesome public sector that we have in Jamaica. We see a lot of downed lines and you also see something hopeful, that is the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) teams working,” Dr. Morris Dixon said, noting that the JPS is receiving overseas assistance to restore electricity in sections of the island.

“I ask for patience. We are working hard to get you back to where you should be,” she assured.

For his part, Minister Charles Jr. said the Government is ensuring that the response to the damage is solutions-oriented and “whatever we do must not be a quick fix, but it must be sustainable”.

“When we give zinc, hurricane straps are used, and where we can remove zinc and put concrete, we do so. Where we can elevate homes, we do so,” he pointed out, encouraging residents who are rebuilding to ensure that they adhere to the proper guidelines.