SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Fifteen people, a number of them children, were in shelters across St Elizabeth by early afternoon yesterday.

Disaster co-ordinator for the parish, Shane Taylor, reported that the people — who live in areas at risk of flooding and wind damage — were being sheltered at Top Hill Primary School, Braes River Community Centre, as well as Fullerswood and Pedro Plains primary schools.

He said shelters were also being activated at Thornton Primary, Newton Primary and Maggotty high schools in the expectation that other "displaced families" would be needing a safe haven from the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy.

The disaster co-ordinator said there had been reports of fallen trees causing temporary blockages on the main road from Holland Bamboo Avenue to Black River.

There were also reports of storm surges in Treasure Beach, he said.

There was persistent rain across St Elizabeth up to early afternoon yesterday and moderately strong winds in some areas.

Councillor for the Pedro Plains Division, Jeremy Palmer, told the Jamaica Observer that large sections of south-east and south-west St Elizabeth had been without electricity for several hours.