Toppled trees block MoBay roadways
Published:Thursday | July 4, 2024 | 12:08 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Hurricane Beryl swept through Montego Bay on Wednesday, bringing powerful winds that toppled trees and blocked roads across the city.
The Howard Cooke Highway was reduced to a single lane, with motorists navigating through a maze of fallen trees. Similar scenes unfolded on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard and Montego Freeport.
Despite forecasts of a Category 4 hurricane with 140mph winds, the city appeared to have dodged the worst, with minimal damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The streets were eerily deserted, as businesses shut their doors in preparation for the storm. After affecting other parts of the island, the storm arrived in the tourism capital in the late afternoon. Amid the few individuals braving the streets, a man who says he is homeless, Calvin Jefferson, expressed concern about finding shelter.
Clad in garbage bags to shield himself from the rain, he told The Gleaner he was headed to a friend’s house but might have to sleep on their verandah if unable to find alternative accommodation.
According to Jamaica’s Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon, the island nation has about 900 shelters that can house people who need to evacuate from their homes.
On Tuesday, parish manager at St James Public Health Services, Lennox Wallace, told The Gleaner there were 60 shelters, which are mostly schools and churches in the parish of St James, available to those who needed a safe haven.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness had also urged people, especially those living in low-lying areas, near rivers or gullies, to move to safer ground or shelters.
“In contrast to the Norman Manley International Airport, which suffered damage from the storm, the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay remained unscathed as of press time.
The roads, typically bustling with tourists, were eerily empty, although many airlines added extra flights to accommodate passengers eager to depart the island and return to their home countries.
Both airports were closed on Tuesday owing to the impending passage of the hurricane.