KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — A review of the country’s drain and gully systems is being undertaken by the technical staff at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in collaboration with the National Works Agency (NWA).

“We are serious about ensuring that flooding does not remain a part of our normal life experience,” Minister Desmond McKenzie said while addressing the launch of Disaster Preparedness Month and to observe the start of the Atlantic Hurricane season held at Jamaica House yesterday.McKenzie had indicated to Parliament in April the need for structural changes to the country’s waterway network, after recent heavy rains that led to flooding.He further mentioned that there will also be a review of the type and number of shelters across the country.“There is no way that a country of our size needs 900 shelters, and I am glad that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has examined a little over 700 (of the shelters) already,” the minister said.Meanwhile, McKenzie said the Administration is determined to create and maintain a momentum of urgency in the public’s mind about hurricane preparedness.“We must understand and accept that we cannot continue to throw money at clean-up and other restoration efforts year after year, once heavy rains or hurricanes occur. We could be using this money for critical areas of Government,” he said.He is also encouraging every Jamaican to expect and prepare for an active 2017 hurricane season. “It means checking our houses and workplaces, walls and roofs. It means that we should start now to gradually buy some items that won’t spoil and that can probably be used at a point, if the need arises,” he advised.The United States-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting five to nine hurricanes, with two to four of them Category 3, or stronger. The forecast predicts 11 to 17 tropical systems.