WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — A noticeable shift in attitude has swept across Savanna-la-Mar as residents, who were once defiant about staying put in the face of Hurricane Melissa, are now hastily preparing to evacuate in anticipation of worsening weather conditions.

On Friday, many declared confidently that they had no plans to leave, but by 3:00pm on Saturday some were packed and ready to move to safety.

“We not staying. We know it ago bad. Later tonight we a push out,” resident Carey Levy told the Jamaica Observer, summing up the growing sense of urgency now gripping the coastal town.

According to Disaster Coordinator for Westmoreland, Marcine Campbell-Kerr, the local disaster team has been on high alert and continues to encourage residents to take precautionary measures, especially when heading to designated shelters.

“We know that residents may be in the shelters for more than 24 hours, so we are encouraging them to carry enough food supplies. Even if it’s perishable items, bring them. Especially if you know you have diabetes, walk with something to ensure you keep your sugar levels up,” Campbell-Kerr advised.

She also confirmed that residents have already begun checking into shelters across the parish and expressed that the Disaster Preparedness team are working assiduously to ensure that enough supplies are at each shelter to house residents comfortably.

“We already had two residents who checked in at the Godfrey Stewart shelter,” she said, noting that all shelters have been on standby since Thursday, October 23.

With dark clouds gathering and the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding becoming more imminent, the once-casual mood in Savanna-la-Mar has shifted to one of cautious readiness.

As the community braces for what could be a long night ahead, local authorities continue to urge residents to stay alert, take warnings seriously, and prioritise safety above all else.