ST MARY, Jamaica – Mayor of Port Maria Levan Freeman said major drain cleaning efforts have been carried out in St Mary in anticipation of the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Freeman said all major drains in Port Maria leading to the Otram River have been cleaned, adding that 95 per cent of the drains in the town have been cleaned.

He said cleaning of drains had been taking place in preparation of the hurricane season, but last Friday councillors received further allocations for drain cleaning in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew. 

While major works have been carried out across the parish, Freeman indicated that work was not done in the dreaded Otram River. He said the Council was not equipped to carry out work in the channel of the river as it requires dredging. 

Heavy equipment was used to clean the beach in Annotto Bay and to open the mouth of three rivers in the area, Freeman continued. 

He said the St Mary Parish Council has done all that is humanly possible to prepare for Hurricane Matthew. 

Meanwhil, 16 shelters across the parish were occupied on Monday morning. However, Mayor Freeman said he expected the number to increase as the day progresses. 

Up to midday Monday, there were no reports of flooding in the parish. 

Renae Dixon