Westmoreland not ready for hurricane season, says Sav mayor

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — With only 22 of the parish’s 76 designated emergency shelters so far approved for use, insufficient shelter managers, concerns about inadequate funding for drain cleaning, and many victims of Hurricane Melissa still struggling, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy is warning that Westmoreland is not prepared for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

The situation is particularly dire in eastern Westmoreland, which suffered some of the most severe damage during the passage of last October’s Category 5 storm and currently has the fewest approved shelters.

“The reality is that Westmoreland is far from ready,” Delancy told the
Jamaica Observer after Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC).

To address long-term shelter concerns, he said a proposal has been made for the construction of multi-purpose facilities that could serve as emergency shelters while also functioning as permanent storage sites for essential supplies such as bedding, food, medical equipment and other relief items. Positioned beyond flood and tsunami-prone areas, these facilities would be built to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and earthquakes. When not being used as shelters, these buildings could be rented out for events, providing a source of revenue. This approach, the mayor explained, would eliminate the need to move emergency supplies from shelter to shelter during storms.

Days into this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, the parish’s disaster coordinator is still trying to identify additional buildings that may be suitable for use as emergency shelter. The search for volunteers willing to serve as shelter managers during emergencies is also on in earnest.

“Some of our shelter managers have stated that they do not want to serve again, after their experience serving in Hurricane Melissa,” said the mayor.

Interested individuals are being encouraged to visit the WMC offices to learn more about the role and how they may contribute to protecting their communities during times of disaster.

The effects to the last catastrophe are still being felt and Delancy said many residents affected by Hurricane Melissa are still awaiting an official tally of damage suffered.

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He is urging the Government to reopen the assessment period to ensure no one in need of help is left behind.

According to Delancy, one of the major challenges is that many people whose homes were destroyed went to stay with relatives, often outside their original communities and assessment teams had already moved on when these residents learned they were in their neighbourhoods.

Delancy recommended, during Thursday’s meeting, that future assessment drives be preceded by widespread public awareness campaigns using radio broadcasts, town criers, and other communication channels to ensure residents are properly informed and available when assessors arrive.

The mayor also expressed concern about the lack of recovery support provided to the business sector.

While some assistance has been provided to farmers through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Members of Parliament, feed stores and private donors, Delancy said no dedicated assistance programme has yet been announced for small businesses affected by last year’s hurricane.

Despite the challenges, he called on residents to be proactive in ensuring their own level of preparedness. He urged households to begin stocking up on essential supplies, including food, water and medication, enough for at least three days after a disaster.

“It is dangerous to be sending volunteers out into the middle of a storm to provide supplies. Residents must do what they can from now to prepare themselves,” said the mayor.

He also appealed to the residents to look out for vulnerable neighbours and community members following severe weather events, once conditions are safe.

Delancy encouraged residents to clear drains and remove debris such as tree limbs, garbage and boxes that could obstruct water flow and contribute to flooding.

Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy stated that only 22 of the 76 shelters have been approved as shelters. The Parish disaster coordinator is currently trying to find more buildings to use. Rosalee Wood Condell

Speaking during the meeting, the mayor argued that the $300,000 central government has allocated to each division for drain cleaning is not enough.

“We know that this is grossly inadequate, but I am going to ask our councillors to make the best use of it,” Delancy urged.

According to the WMC’s estimates, approximately $40 million is required to properly clean drains across the parish and reduce the risk of flooding during the hurricane season.

“We did not want to seem unreasonable as we know the funding is limited; so this is the bare minimum, because we understand that the budget is just not there. So we are awaiting an update on that,” the mayor explained.

With the hurricane season already underway, Delancy stressed that preparedness remains a shared responsibility between Government agencies, local authorities and residents.

“The more prepared we are as individuals and communities, the better we will be able to withstand whatever challenges this hurricane season may bring,” he said during the meeting.

“We want to thank our shelter managers, thank those who contributed their time, their resources to donate to victims of Melissa — because some of you are still donating to them to this moment. We want you to know that you are truly appreciated,” added Delancy.