Jamaicans urged to exercise caution during tropical storm

With Jamaica expected to be impacted by tropical storm conditions starting late tonight, acting head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, is urging Jamaicans to be alert and listen to updates from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the ODPEM.

He indicated that Jamaicans should be cautious as the country has been experiencing rainfall for about a month now and with the earth fully saturated, many low lying areas could be susceptible to serious flooding.

Thompson told The Gleaner earlier this afternoon that sections of rural St Andrew and St Mary have already been affected by landslides which have impacted roadways.

He said that a section of the road from Golden Spring to Mount Airy has been cut off owing to a landslide.

The ODPEM boss said the heavy rainfall that is anticipated from the weather system could lead to further land slippages in rural St Andrew, St Mary and the hills of Clarendon.

Thompson said shelter managers are on standby in the event there is need to provide shelter for persons whose homes may be affected by flood waters.

“Also, for persons who are in these low lying areas, ensure that you know your evacuation routes and know where to find your shelters,” he said.

The ODPEM acting director general said the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine and the Hordley Crossing in eastern St Thomas are areas that should be avoided during adverse weather conditions.

“People normally get trapped in those areas so we urge them to stay away when we are affected by severe weather,” Thompson said.

Motorists are being advised to stay off the roads as tropical storm conditions move across the island.

Thompson pointed out that two feet of flood waters can wash away a vehicle, adding that persons will look at the surface of the water and fail to appreciate the velocity and strength of the undercurrent.

He warned that SUVs can also be washed away by flood waters.

“We are saying to people not to try to cross these flooded areas,” he stressed.

He also cautioned residents who have “mechanisms” set up to cross gullies not to take any chances when flood waters are moving through the gully.

“Exercise caution as the system passes us and let us come out of this with no one being injured or any loss of life,” Thompson added.

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