TRELAWNY, Jamaica — With Tropical Storm Melissa approaching, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has advanced preparations to once again relocate residents of the Trelawny Infirmary to a designated shelter at the Hague Primary and Infant School in the parish.

The infirmary, which sits close to Falmouth’s seashore, is considered vulnerable to storm surges and high winds.

Ahead of Hurricane Beryl on July 3 last year, the 54 residents were moved from the infirmary to safety at Hague Primary School, where they remained longer than expected due to extensive damage sustained by the infirmary building.

Mayor of Falmouth and Chairman of the TMC, Councillor C Junior Gager, said that the shelter at Hague is among 42 available across the parish, supported by a team of 68 shelter managers.

“We also have been working with all the other agencies, every agency is on board. Our shelters are up and our shelter managers are prepared and raring to go,” Gager told Observer Online.

He added that provisions have also been made for the parish’s homeless population.

“They will be able to go there and stay at the drop-in centre until the storm passes,” Gager said, noting that the Falmouth drop-in centre will serve as temporary accommodation for street people.

— Horace Hines