Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Parish Disaster Coordinator, Denise Lewis, told JIS News in an interview that while the parish was spared the worst from Hurricane Melissa, the activities of the Portland Municipal Corporation and stakeholders also assisted in minimising the effects of the category-five storm. “The corporation ensured that we had our emergency operations meeting with government and non-governmental organisations. During the storm, there was communication with the public (and) as soon as the storm was through, our government and non-governmental organisations carried out assessments,” Lewis said. She disclosed that three shelters remain open out of the 60 that were activated throughout Melissa’s passage. They are the Manchioneal Primary School with 10 persons, one person at Reach All-Age School, and a family of four at the Woodstock Housing Scheme Community Centre. “We continue to give the humanitarian assistance to persons within shelters, but not only within shelters; it’s across the length and breadth of Portland, as persons have had their roofs lifted and zincs blown. So, we continue across the parish to carry out assessments and, of course, giving care packages where they are needed,” Lewis said.

In terms of the road network in the parish, Lewis said that there were reports of damage. “But our responders worked assiduously to ensure that blocked roads were totally cleared across the parish. Those that were not totally cleared were partially cleared and work continues,” she pointed out. (Jamaica Gleaner)