Find a shelter if you are vulnerable, says MoBay mayor
Published:Saturday | October 25, 2025 | 12:05 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has issued a stern warning to residents of flood-prone communities in St James to relocate if Tropical Storm Melissa impacts the parish and weather conditions deteriorate to a level that endangers their lives.
Vernon, who was addressing a media briefing at the St James Municipal Corporation building on Thursday, said persons should not try to enter flooded locations during the passage of the storm, especially if water levels rise above the threshold level on the flood gauges installed by the municipal authorities.
“Persons who are in vulnerable and flood-prone areas, they have knowledge of what happens when it rains, and if it rains at a level that it is unprecedented, I encourage them to relocate, to find a shelter and move to higher ground. If you are in a vulnerable structure, or if you are in a flood-prone area, find a shelter,” urged Vernon.
“We have installed flood gauges, and I encourage persons that as soon as they realise that the water at the flood gauge is about two feet or so, do not enter the area. Some persons still try to enter, and persons even try to drive through it, and we have seen it, and we do not encourage such practices,” he added.
According to Vernon, residents must take personal responsibility for their own safety because getting rescue services during the passage of the threatening weather system will be much more difficult than in normal times.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
“Persons need to understand that they are responsible for themselves. It is hard to provide rescue during the event [the passage of the storm], and we also put our officers and our other stakeholders at risk when they have to come and rescue you, because you have been a bit risky with your actions,” said Vernon. “If you have knowledge of the area that you are living in, that it is a flood-prone area and you are vulnerable, then you need to move to a safer space.”
St James has had a history of severe flooding during heavy rains, with several flooding incidents over the years being blamed on blocked drains due to improper garbage disposal.
In January 2021, heavy rainfall resulted in flooding across several thoroughfares and inner-city communities in Montego Bay and surrounding districts, with Long Hill, Wiltshire, the Leethe crossing, King Gate, Belmont, Anchovy, and Mt Carey among the affected locations. The parish experienced heavy rains and flooding again in November that year, with the Unity Hall main road being damaged and Cornwall Courts, Green Pond, and Albion being inundated.
On April 19, 2022, tragedy struck in Montego Bay when a vehicle with a family of four – Jennel Walters, her grandparents Berris and Beryl Walters, and her aunt Shannon Walters – got swept away by floodwaters along the Westgate main road. The body of 12-year-old Jennel Walters, a grade-seven student at Montego Bay High School, was later recovered near Montego Bay’s cruise ship pier and, while Berris and Shannon Walters were rescued by bystanders and Jamaica Fire Brigade personnel, Beryl Walters’ body was never recovered.
Flood rains impacted St James again in September 2024, with the John’s Hall main road rendered impassable after a nearby river overflowed its banks. During that event, broken trees caused damage to utility wires in the area, leaving a section of John’s Hall without electricity.