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Jamaica

Jamaica: ODPEM evacuation orders must be heeded

It has come to the attention of the ODPEM that persons in the designated areas to be evacuated are refusing the Evacuation Order.

ALL PERSONS WHO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES CLOSE TO THE SEA ARE ADVISED TO START EVACUATING NOW.

A Mandatory Evacuation order has been issued for the following communities in Portmore:

Portmore:

1. Waterford

2. Caymans Gardens

3. Portsmouth

4. Armada Courts

5. Port Henderson Road

6. Passage Fort

7. Independence City

8. West Chester

9. Edge Water

10. Garvey Mead

11. Bridgeview

12. West Mead

13. West Port

14. South Borough

Assembly points:

1. West Port Community Centre

2. West Chester Community Centre

3. Edge Water Community Centre

4. South Borough Community Centre

5. Bayside New Testament Church of God

6. SDC Sports Complex

7. Braeton All Age School

8. Greater Portmore Primary

Bull Bay, St. Andrew:

1. Taylor Lands

2. 9 Mile Square

Assembly point: St. Benedicts Primary School and Church

Nightingale Grove: Assembly point: Bushy Park Baptist Church

Seaforth, St. Thomas:

Communities along the Johnson River:

1. Riverside Drive

2. Blacksmith Lane

3. Moodie Lane

4. Packa Lane

5. York (ShantyTown)

6. Morant Area.

Assembly points:

1. Seaforth High

2. Seaforth Primary

Bath, St. Thomas: All low-lying areas of Bath are being asked to evacuate to the Bath Primary and Junior High.

Port Royal: All residents should assemble at the National Arena.

Shelter Managers are being asked to open ALL shelters in the evacuation zones and persons are advised to take along basic items such as bedding, flashlight, extra clothing, medication, food, water, infant necessities (if required) and a first-aid kit.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, the Salvation Army and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Churches will be established as Registration Centres for affected persons and distribution centres for relief items.

The progress of Hurricane Dean will continue to be closely monitored by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and updates will be released to the public as soon as new information has been gathered.