Morant Bay mayor urges caution amid adverse weather affecting Jamaica

Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Louis Chin, is urging residents of St Thomas to exercise heightened caution and remain vigilant amid the adverse weather conditions affecting Jamaica this week.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has advised that a broad trough extending across Jamaica and the western Caribbean will produce a wide area of disorganised showers and thunderstorms across the region between Tuesday, November 3 and Saturday, November 7.

This comes just over a week after similar weather conditions devastated sections of Bath, St Thomas, leaving 54 homes flooded and affecting 313 residents.

“In light of the recent situation in Bath, where the impact of heavy rainfall highlighted the vulnerability of some of our communities, we are reminding residents that their safety must remain the utmost priority,” Chin said in a statement received by JIS News.

He stressed that the St Thomas Municipal Corporation is urging residents to avoid flooded roads and rivers, exercise caution in low-lying areas, stay away from unstable slopes, secure their homes and surroundings, limit non-essential travel, and heed official weather advisories.

“Residents should monitor updates from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, ODPEM [Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management], and other recognised emergency management agencies,” Chin said.

He also urged community leaders and residents to “look out for the elderly, persons living with disabilities, children, and other vulnerable members of our communities who may require additional assistance during this period”.

Several schools in the parish dismissed students early today or issued closure notices to parents, urging them to collect their children promptly.

“Do not wait until it is too late to take precautions. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or landslides and you observe signs of danger, take the necessary steps to move to a safer location and contact the relevant emergency authorities,” Chin emphasised.

He reaffirmed the St Thomas Municipal Corporation’s commitment to the safety and well-being of residents, vowing to continue working alongside disaster management partners and other relevant agencies to “monitor the situation and respond where necessary”.

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