KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie says Jamaica is prepared for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, with the country’s 881 emergency shelters inspected and supervisors and managers placed on standby.

McKenzie, who gave the update during a special press briefing held on Wednesday in preparation for Tropical Storm Melissa, shared that relief supplies have already been pre-positioned at various sections of the island.

He also noted that emergency equipment and teams are prepared to be deployed to high-risk communities often impacted by weather events.

“We do have a list of the areas that we need to pay attention to. There are some particular communities in Jamaica that we are concerned about. Those communities know themselves, but I just want to mention a few. Rocky Point in Clarendon is one area. Taylor Land in the eastern part of the island is another. We have the Duhaney Park area, New Haven, and several other communities. The Berger Gully, the McGregor Gully are two areas of concerns,” he stressed.

He added that over 1,000 sandbags have been installed in east Kingston following inspections by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other agencies.

McKenzie urged Jamaicans to stay tuned to weather bulletins and follow instructions from authorities. He also reminded citizens heading to shelters to bring only essential items, including medication.

The minister made a special appeal to residents of Port Royal to cooperate with evacuation plans, noting that cooperation from residents has been a challenge in the past.

“I’m making a special appeal to the people in Port Royal. If we are impacted by this event, it is going to be important that the community of Port Royal make arrangements when we provide the requisite transportation for them to be relocated to shelters that they comply. I’ll be speaking with a member of parliament, Phillip Paulwell, because it is an area that is of grave concern to us because we have not been getting the kind of cooperation that is required from the residents in Port Royal whenever there is an event,” he said.

Meanwhile, Evan Thompson, director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, said Tropical Storm Melissa could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday, with the island expected to begin feeling its effects on Thursday.