As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, Councillor Garth Wilkinson of the People’s National Party (Falmouth Division) has raised significant concerns about the safety of the emergency shelter located at Salt Marsh Primary School in Trelawny. The shelter, one of 42 designated across the parish, is situated near a gully that is highly susceptible to flooding during heavy rainfall, posing a potential risk to those seeking refuge there. Wilkinson emphasized the challenges of mitigating flood risks at the location, stating, ‘In case of any flooding, you would have to evacuate the residents who seek shelter at the facility. I have some issues with it.’ He further expressed uncertainty about how to address potential disasters at the site. During an emergency disaster meeting on Wednesday, Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager, urged local councillors to utilize their August allocations from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation to clean drains across the parish. Wilkinson reported that drain-clearing efforts in Falmouth began immediately after the meeting and continued until late Sunday afternoon. He highlighted the urgency of these measures, noting that Falmouth, Zion, and other areas are particularly flood-prone, with Falmouth being below sea level. ‘We have to do all that we can to mitigate against flooding,’ Wilkinson stressed, underscoring the critical need for preparedness as the hurricane looms.
#EyeOnMelissa: Councillor raises safety concerns over flood-prone gully near Salt Marsh shelter
