Mandatory evacuations ordered for seven flood-prone communities as Hurricane Melissa nears

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Sunday ordered the immediate evacuation of several vulnerable communities across Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa bears down on the island with life-threatening rain and winds. The order was issued under the Disaster Risk Management Act.

The order covers the following areas:

1. Port Royal, Kingston

2. Portland Cottage, Clarendon

3. Rocky Point, Clarendon

4. Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine

5. Taylor Land, Bull Bay, St Andrew

6. New Haven, St Andrew

7. Riverton City, St Andrew

"The Order takes effect immediately and requires all persons in the specified areas to evacuate to ensure their safety,”a statement said. Holness acted on advice from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

The mandatory evacuation follows the October 24 declaration of the entire island as a threatened area under the Disaster Risk Management Act.

That declaration empowers the Government to implement precautionary and protective measures to safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

The evacuation order remains in force for as long as the Declaration of Threatened Area Order remains in force.

According to the Meteorological Service, Hurricane Melissa is expected to pass directly over Jamaica on Monday night or Tuesday morning, bringing sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and up to 30 inches (760 mm) of rainfall in some areas.

Life-threatening storm surges of 9 to 13 feet are anticipated along the south coast, particularly near Port Royal, Old Harbour Bay, and Rocky Point. Authorities warn that widespread flooding and landslides are likely, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Earlier Sunday, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately.

Speaking ahead of the storm, he warned that many communities may not survive the expected flooding. “It is going to be impossible for us, after all the attempts that we have been making…for us to say to our first responders ‘go out and risk your life,’” McKenzie said.

He noted that all 881 shelters across the country have been activated to provide safe relocation options.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said the state-owned bus company received four evacuation calls since Saturday. But he lamented that there has been a low makeup in some vulnerable communities.

He said residents in Flagaman in coastal St Elizabeth have "refused" to board the buses. He said only 10 persons left on a bus that was sent to Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine.

He said it's a similar low take up in Port Royal and Rae Town fishing communities in Kingston. "We have deployed our resources and are awaiting board. We actually have buses on spot , now parked, waiting to evacuate and the response is not there," he said at the news conference.

Vaz said the Jamaica Urban Transit Company state bus company has indicated that it is running limited operations but "and will likely cease operations mid afternoon due to rising water levels, low visibility and of course the weather coming closer".

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