ST JAMES, Jamaica — As Jamaica continues its preparation to deal with the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, the parish of St James has indicated that it is ready to face whatever may come.

During a press conference following a meeting of the parish’s disaster committee on Thursday, an update was provided to members of the media.

“At this point in time, I can say we have concluded our parish disaster committee meeting, and we are in a high state of readiness,” Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon declared.

“All the critical stakeholders were at the meeting, and they have indicated to us that they, too, are ready, and they have activated their emergency protocols,” he continued.

The threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to grow in strength to becoming a hurricane over the next few days, has placed all parishes on high alert.

However, the mayor said he is comfortable with that they have been told from stakeholders during the meeting.

“Some will be going into their emergency operation centres tomorrow, and they have advised their staff members as to what to do,” he said.

“They have the experience and the knowledge of how to respond in cases like these, and they are taking the necessary steps,” Vernon added.

Shelters, the mayor explained, were also ready and have been ready since June when they were inspected. Shelter managers have been placed on notice at 59 such spaces in the parish.

“The shelter managers have been advised, and they’re up to date and we are also in readiness in terms of supplying food to these areas, if we have to activate the shelter,” he said.

“Shelters are localised, so we activate them on a needs basis. We will not activate all the shelters at once. It depends on where we need to activate a shelter, depending on what is happening at the location but we are in a state of readiness where those are concerned,” he added.

Vernon further used the opportunity to provide some important shelter information for certain categories of individuals that may be displaced in the event of the storm.

“For the homeless, the Jarrett Park area is ready and for the other areas where we have to move or infirm persons or other persons who are outdoor, we will also have to provide for them and those shelters are ready,” he said.

“For the tourists, the Montego Bay Convention Centre is ready and we await any further information from the technical officers providing that we need to move into those activations,” he disclosed.

The St James Municipal Corporation also provided updates as it relates to efforts to mitigate the threats associated with potential flooding due to heavy rain.

“As it relates to drains, we have just about completed all our mitigation works,” Acting Roads and Works Superintendent, Yannick Beckford, told the media.

“All the drains in the 17 divisions have been cleaned. The major drains in the downtown area, the north and south gully has been cleaned and it has been done over the weekend, so that should mitigate against flooding,” he advised.

Likewise, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) Operations Manager for St James and Trelawny, Kieron Frazer, shared that they have been clearing their lines.

“In terms of our bushing exercise in both parishes, we started our bushing from the start of the year, which is from January, we are continuing to do it,” Frazer said.

“While we understand that there are still some areas that want bushing now, we’re currently doing it, and we intend to do it after the hurricane,” he continued.

Mayor Vernon was also satisfied with updates from other stakeholders including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Western Parks and Markets (WPM) among others.

“St James is ready, and we are waiting to activate, if we have to activate, our emergency operation centre for the parish,” he said.

Acting Superintendent for Roads and Works, Yannick Beckford.

Operations Manager for St James and Trelawny for JPS, Kieron Frazer.