St. Thomas Shoppers Empty Supermarket Shelves as Melissa Looms

Empty supermarket shelves where loaves of bread once occupied and long lines with full trolleys were among the scenes in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on the weekend as residents prepared for Hurricane Melissa.

They were heeding the warning of the authorities to get ready for the slow-moving system, which is expected to significantly impact the island, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and landslides.

On Friday (Oct. 24) JIS News observed shoppers at Joong Supermarket, one of the most popular shopping hubs in the busy capital.

Among them were Dave Francis, who said, “It’s a rush. A lot of people are saying that the hype is for commercial means, but we have to prepare as long as there is a storm out there.”

He urged fellow residents to “get your food stuff, get what you need to get and prepare for the storm.”

Mickalia Miller of Lyssons pushed a trolley filled with nonperishable items such as corned beef, flour, rice, sugar, syrup and other items.

“I’m getting the necessary stuff like tin food and candles and I will also fill up my water. We have to brace for the unexpected because we’re not sure what’s going to happen,” she told JIS News.

From her strategic location just outside of Joong’s Supermarket, food vendor Natalia Dumay, has seen the rush of shoppers as they prepare for the major hurricane.

“It’s been hectic for the last two days now because everybody has been preparing for Melissa. People have been rushing for bread. I saw three bread trucks come today and there is still no bread left inside,” she stated.

She also saw an increase in sales with most shoppers going for items such as scallion, onion, tomatoes and peppers.

While most shoppers were part of the pre-hurricane rush, others were making their regular Friday evening purchases, having made the preparations for a storm from earlier in the hurricane season.

“When it comes to this time of the year when we can expect the hurricane at any time, I usually start to buy things and I stock them so that I won’t be running up and down on the day before the hurricane and so that I am comfortable,” said Eileen Durrant from Retreat.

Similarly, Registered Nurse at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Eric Armstrong, tells JIS News that, “I prepared already. I am not like those Jamaicans who run and buy bread (at last minute). I have a lot of tin and nonperishable food items.”

On Melissa’s potential impact on Jamaica, Mr. Armstrong said that he is hoping for the best.

“Jamaica cannot manage any storm right now. I think we’re going to get a lot of rainfall and a lot of roads will be impacted. Take precaution – it never hurts to take precaution. Batten down, get the necessary electronics, the lamps, buy your candles,” he urged residents.

Meanwhile, Parish Disaster Coordinator, Martina Medley-Goode, called on residents to avoid flood-prone areas of the parish such as Amity Hall and Hordley Crossing.

Mrs. Medley-Goode said that items were being distributed to shelter managers, who will man the parish’s 42 shelters.