MAY PEN, Clarendon — There was very little adverse effect from Hurricane Matthew in Clarendon up to mid-afternoon yesterday.

However, if the situation worsens and people rush to shelters seeking refuge, there will be problems because of a shortage of basic supplies, says chairman of the Clarendon Parish Council and Mayor of May Pen Scean Barnswell.

“We have 92 designated shelters in Clarendon, but we only have supplies (such as bedding and food) for about 10 of those shelters,” Barnswell said.

The local authorities had sent limited supplies to shelters in areas considered most vulnerable to flooding, including Rocky Point, Portland Cottage and other sections of south Clarendon, the mayor said.

Barnswell said that so far, people had been “in and out” of a few designated shelters in this south central parish.

Hurricane Matthew is expected to hit hardest in eastern Jamaica with heavy rain and strong winds, but forecasters say the entire island could be badly affected.