ReliefWeb

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is reminding all residents of flood prone and low lying areas, that if they are threatened by rising waters or by landslides they are to follow the standard procedures and move to the nearest shelter with bedding and supplies. The heavy rains being experienced will continue throughout tonight into tomorrow and therefore persons should be ready to evacuate as the weather conditions could further deteriorate.
The ODPEM has received reports that two houses located along the Mamee River in St. Andrew have been washed away. Persons who occupied the dwellings however are staying with relatives and friends. Also, community residents of Penlyne Castle and Summit Castle located in the mountainous regions of Rural St. Andrew are marooned as a result of landslides.

Over in 9 Miles, Bull Bay area of St. Thomas, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is currently carrying out the evacuation of persons as a result of the river overflowing its banks.

The main road between Buff Bay in Portland in the vicinity of the Post Office is impassable due to debris. The alternate route is via Lynch Park.

Meanwhile, representatives of The Ministry of Labour and Social Security are currently on the ground distributing food packages to persons in shelters and initial assessments would suggest that the numbers are increasing. Persons occupying shelters in St. Ann for example have increased from 170 persons to a total of 590, in Trelawny the number has increased to 119, while in Kingston and St. Andrew persons accessing shelters have increased to 84.

Shelters which have been opened recently are identified below:

St. Ann

Roaring River Pentecostal Church: 59
Bamboo All Age: 6
Marcus Garvey Technical High School: 30

KSA

Tavern Isle Mavis Bank: 8
Majestic Gardens Basic school: 30
Golden Spring Primary: 10
Harbour View Primary: 24
Edith Dalton James High
Arnold Road SDA Church: 3
St. Benedict's Church and School
Penlyne Castle
Summit

Trelawny

William Knibb High School: 77
Campbell's Church: 23
Rio Bueno All Age School: 3
Deliverance Tabernacle Church: 4
First Holiness Church: 4