St Ann residents in flood-prone areas urged to prepare for evacuation

Parish Disaster Coordinator for St Ann, Alvin Clarke, is urging residents in flood prone and low-lying areas of the parish to prepare for evacuation, in light of the approach of Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl is expected to impact Jamaica by Wednesday.

Speaking to The Gleaner today, Clarke said the disaster committee of the St Ann Municipal Corporation is in preparation mode for the hurricane.

“We're not sure how it's going to affect us but we're looking at the possibility of storm surges and high wind and maybe heavy rainfall, so once it's a flood prone area, you have to evacuate the people, take them to shelters,” Clarke said.

He explained that no evacuation can take place during a hurricane so it has to be done before.

Areas in the south of St Ann, including Cave Valley, are the most susceptible to flooding during heavy rainfall.

Since the start of the hurricane season on June 1, preparation work, including drain cleaning, has taken place in the parish as the committee moves towards a state of readiness.

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