Despite an evacuation order being sent to the Portland Cottage area of south Clarendon, many residents stayed away from emergency shelters.

Carol Forbes, shelter manager at the facility, located at the Rocky Point All-Age School, along with men from the area, was yesterday seen arranging desks and chairs to accommodate persons seeking refuge.

In the meantime, Scean Barnswell, mayor of May Pen, made a last-minute appeal to residents of Portland Cottage to make use of the shelters provided.

Barnswell said he did not want a repeat of 2004 and 2007 when there was loss of life because people ignored warnings to evacuate.