The Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is appealing to people in southern and coastal communities to be prepared to evacuate in the event of flooding.

With the impending Tropical Storm Earl expected to start affecting Jamaica later today, McKenzie said people living in flood-prone areas should not put emergency responders at risk by delaying evacuation once it becomes necessary.

He told a press conference at Jamaica House this afternoon that buses will be provided in the Corporate Area to remove people needing to leave their communities and emergency shelters islandwide have been placed on standby.

SEE BELOW FOR PARISHES AND COMMUNITIES ON HIGH ALERT:

Parishes:

St Thomas
Kingston and St Andrew
St Catherine
Clarendon
Manchester
St Elizabeth

Communities on high alert:

(St Thomas)
Cedar Valley
Wheelersfield
Golden Grove
Trinityville
Poor Man's Corner
Yallahs
Dancers Pen
Bath
Easington

(Kingston and St Andrew)
Tavern
Kintyre
Grovedale Avenue
Sandy Park

(Clarendon):
Alley
Rocky Point
Water Lane
Portland Cottage
York Town
Old Denbigh
Glenmuir
Palmers Cross
Paisley
Hazard
Curator Hill
Mineral Heights
Hayes
Gimme-me-bit
Race Course
Banks
Lionel Town
Mitchell Town
Longwood

(Manchester)
Alligator Pond
Cocoa Walk
Cross Keys
Downs
Knockpatrick
Logwood
Rudd’s Corner
Marley Hill
Plowden

(St Elizabeth)
Accompong
Elderslie
Balaclava
Thornton
Ginger Hill
New Market
Middle Quarters
Newton
Holland
Braes River
Goshen
Crawford
Santa Cruz
Black River
Burnt Savannah
Mountainside
Myersville
Parottee
Bigwoods
Treasure Beach
Ballards Valley
Maggotty
Siloah
Lacovia
Pepper

Total population: 369,559