6000 RESIDENTS NOW IN SHELTERS
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, indicated that there are close to 6,000 Jamaicans in shelters across the island. He was speaking on Tuesday Morning at the Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa. He also reaffirmed that all 881 Shelters are open across the island.
“The numbers that I have presently speak to, of the 800 shelters, 382 shelters are occupied so far. With a total of persons within shelters of almost 6000 people,” he said.
The Minister expressed concerns for residents living in St. Elizabeth, as some residents within the parish are now calling for evacuation assistance after transportation and mobilization support have been placed on hold. This decision was announced by Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, as a safety precaution for transport operators as Hurricane Melissa edges the coast of Jamaica.
“All road operations for JUTC ceased last night, with the exception of transport assistance provided by them to essential services staff such as hospital workers,” said Minister Vaz.
“I would urge people who can move to do so, and the Mayors and the CEOs and the Councillors and the Members of Parliament to do everything that is possible to assist those persons in moving,” Minister McKenzie added.
Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, announced that the hurricane was some 70 miles off the coast of Jamaica and was expected to barrel through the western end of the island. Melissa will be the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall over the island.