ST. CATHERINE PARISH EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE ACTIVATED AND ALERT FOR ‘HURRICANE MATTHEW’

ST. CATHERINE PARISH EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE ACTIVATED AND ALERT FOR ‘HURRICANE MATTHEW’

Subsequent to its activation on Sunday, October 02, over (55) persons representing agencies and volunteers registered present at the Parish Emergency Operations Centre, Emancipation Square, Spanish Town. The Centre which was slated to be activated at 2pm was instead activated at 1pm based on directives from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.
 
After a major downpour later that afternoon, reports of power outages, land slippages, flooding and water lock offs in various areas started to pour in and were effectively dealt with by the Parish Emergency Operation Centre team, consisting of Parish Council Staff and Agencies.
 
Some (58) shelters within the parish were ready to be opened.  However, Shelters within Point Hill and Old Harbour Zones were up and running and most active. 
 
By Monday, October 3, the Old Harbour Shelter at the Old Harbour High School had occupancy of over (200) persons, most of whom were transported from Old Harbour Bay by the JUTC bus system.
 
The PEOC was capably operated throughout the period, Sunday, October 2 to Tuesday, October 4, thanks to the efforts of the Council’s technical and supporting team, response agencies and volunteers.
 
As ‘Hurricane Matthew’ slowly left our territories, and again based on word from ODPEM, the Coordinator officially closed the Centre on Tuesday, October 04 at 3:30 p.m.
 
There will be a debriefing meeting in the Council's meeting room at 10:00am on Friday October 7, 2016. All team players, including Parish Council staff members are asked to make every effort to attend.