CLARENDON
This parish, which suffered most from the gales of Hurricane Ivan last September, was at the receiving end of Dennis' early gusts yesterday. Aleith James, a member of the relief team there, told The Gleaner that 446 persons were in 11 shelters, with a total of 280 of the occupants at the Portland Cottage All-Age School, the Portland Cottage Community Centre and the Portland Cottage Catholic Church. Ms. James said most of the people moving into shelters were from the parish's southern tip. There were no reports of flooding.
PORTLAND
Kimberley Bryan of the Portland Parish Council reported that people were 'moving into shelters rapidly.' At press time, approximately 700 persons were in shelters in major towns such as Port Antonio, Buff Bay and Manchioneal.
The Bellevue All-Age School and the Manchioneal All-Age School both had over 100 persons. Eighty persons were at the Port Antonio Comprehensive Centre.
ST. ANN
In St. Ann, Alvin Clarke, the parish disaster coordinator , told The Gleaner that 160 persons were being accommodated at 12 shelters. Most of these people are from Ocho Rios and Discovery Bay. There was one report of flooding in the Breadfruit Hill area.
ST. CATHERINE
Patricia Lewis, acting parish disaster coordinator, said over 50 persons were in eight shelters. She also reported that the Rio Cobre River was rising.
ST. MARY
Port Maria Mayor, Bobby Montaque, said 210 persons were occupying 10 of the 50 shelters in the parish. Eighty-two of these persons were at the Annotto Bay High School. Mr. Montaque said the rising sea was threatening sections of Annotto Bay.
