WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — There are concerns that the structure of houses in a section of Negril called Little Haiti, will not be able to withstand the impact of Hurricane Melissa which is forecast to make landfall as a Category 5 storm early Tuesday.

“My concern is that the people must move because the houses are not sturdy enough to withstand hurricane winds. And, that is my greatest concern, the hurricane wind and little Haiti,” said Councillor for the Negril Division (People’s National Party), Arthel Colley.

The councillor told the Observer Online that efforts have been made to have the occupants moved out of the area ahead of the storm, but this has proved futile. He said people are reluctant to leave their homes with their belongings to seek shelter elsewhere.

“Nobody doesn’t wants to leave their house because they are fearful that people will steal their stuff,” states Councillor Colley, who is a retired deputy superintendent of police.

The Little Haiti area in Negril is a squatter settlement with a few houses and is currently earmarked for the creation of an urban centre by the government.

Little Haiti, which is located within the Nonpareil Road/ Whitehall area, is also prone to flooding due to the heavy flow of water from the direction of Mount Airy onto the Nonpareil main road in the vicinity of the Texaco Service Station during heavy rains.

Flooding is a concern for  President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, Elaine Allen Bradley.