Jamaica Was Well Prepared for Hurricane Beryl – Local Government Minister

Jamaica was well prepared for Hurricane Beryl, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

Addressing Wednesday’s (July 10) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, he said information was readily available and the public was kept abreast.

“The only complaint that one could make was that there was too much information being passed to the public, and we have seen the benefit of that information because many Jamaicans took heed,” he said.

Mr. McKenzie said the Government is concerned about the responsiveness of residents in communities such as New Haven and Port Royal, which are prone to flooding and were targeted for evacuation.

“Efforts were made both at the political level and at the local level to encourage residents in many of these communities to leave. The National Arena was opened, facilitated by the Red Cross, to accommodate residents from Port Royal and the Bull Bay community in the Corporate Area. Nobody from Port Royal. The buses left empty,” he shared.

He reminded Jamaicans that this is just the beginning, as the hurricane season ends on November 30.

“I am urging Jamaicans, as we’ve been doing in the early warnings, to accept and to act responsibly in terms of the requests that are made as it relates to persons to leave certain communities during the time when it becomes necessary,” Mr. McKenzie appealed.

Meanwhile, he said 10 shelters remain open with more than 100 people occupying some of them.

“Now, we will not deactivate a number of shelters until we are in a better position to make a determination as to what will happen to those persons who are presently in the shelters,” the Minister said.

Mr. McKenzie explained that the Ministry will be working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to conduct quick assessments to determine the support needed and to provide temporary residence for shelter occupants whose homes have been completely destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl.

He added that the Government is committed to assisting Jamaicans to restore as quickly as possible.

“This is not the first and this will not be the last, and I am hoping that we will be spared any significant events for the remainder of the season, but I urge Jamaicans to continue to have hope and continue to have faith in the work of your Government,” Mr. McKenzie said.