Portland's preparation

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

AS PORTLAND braces for the impending onslaught of Tropical Storm Tomas, which is expected to strengthen and dump heavy rainfall on the island, the Portland parish disaster committee is putting into gear a contingency plan.

Parish disaster coordinator in charge of preparedness, Denise Lewis, said all emergency groups, shelter managers, and zone commanders have been put on high alert as Tomas draws closer to the island.

"We will be activating our emergency operation centre (EOC) as soon as the need arises," she said. "This could probably take place from as early as Wednesday (this morning), so as to be better prepared in carrying out operations," said Lewis.

Be alert

She noted that several communities in Portland are prone to flooding, and advised residents to be on the lookout, and evacuate before it becomes dangerous.

The areas identified are Manchioneal, the Rio Grande Valley, Anchovy Gardens, Folly, sections of Boundbrook, and Bryans Bay in the east; Buff Bay Valley, Hope Bay, Saint Margaret's Bay, Windsor Castle, and Orange Bay in the west.

Meanwhile, mayor of Port Antonio, Floyd Patterson, said the expected rainfall could result in multiple landslides in the Buff Bay Valley and the Rio Grande Valley, as those areas are already saturated by previous rainfall.

"We have to work together and utilise our resources collectively," said Patterson. "All the emergency groups, including the fire department, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the police, will have to be on high alert, so as to be able give a timely response whenever the need arises."

In the meantime, the mayor has appealed to residents to stock up on emergency supplies, including candles, flashlights, and non-perishable items.

- Gareth Davis