#TrackingMatthew: ‘Wait and see’ in St Elizabeth
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Chairman of the St Elizabeth Parish Council and Mayor of Black River Everton Fisher says much work has been done to prepare for Hurricane Matthew and local emergency services are now “in a wait and see mode”.
An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been in place at Black River since Saturday, several shelters are open and there has been emergency drain cleaning in traditionally vulnerable areas, Fisher said.
Though up to mid-afternoon Monday there had been little effect from the storm in terms of wind and rain in St Elizabeth, six people had entered shelters in the parish: three at BB Coke High in Junction; two at Nain Primary and Junior High, and one person at Black River Primary.
Areas to have had emergency drain cleaning include sections of Santa Cruz, Fyffes Pen, White Hall, Speculation in Brompton, and Treasure Beach.
Forecasters say heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Matthew will have the most serious impact on eastern Jamaica, but that the entire island could be badly affected.
Garfield Myers