Residents of Trelawny and St. Ann are being urged to relocate to shelters before it is too late.

Despite a broad network of emergency shelters set up at schools across both parishes in anticipation of the impact of Hurricane Melissa, occupancy levels remain low, prompting officials to issue a public plea to persons living in vulnerable areas.

“We have some 84 shelters, and I can tell you that only a few persons, probably about 10 at this time, have taken up the offer or have indicated that they will be utilising the shelters,” St. Ann’s Bay Mayor, Councillor Michael Belnavis told JIS News.

“We are encouraging persons, especially those in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to take up the offers before it’s too late. At the very least, please get in touch with your shelter managers,” he appealed.

Over in Trelawny, Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Colin Gager, is also urging residents to act now.

Parish Disaster Coordinator, Dion Hylton-Lewis, noted that “waiting until the last minute can complicate evacuations and overwhelm shelter facilities, which are designed to protect residents but require orderly influx”.

“We are encouraging residents to take up shelter opportunities now and to brief shelter managers about their anticipated arrival so we can prepare for their needs,” she said.

Residents entering shelters are reminded to take along supplies like prescription medications and basic first-aid items; water, non-perishable foods and snacks; bedding, clothing, and personal-hygiene products; flashlights, batteries and a small radio; infant needs, including diapers and formula; and identification and relevant household documents.

Persons entering shelters are required to maintain orderly conduct, follow shelter-specific rules, and respect capacity limits to ensure safety for all.

Shelter occupancy will be managed to prevent overcrowding and to maintain sanitary conditions, with health officers conducting routine checks.