Gov’t not yet able to say whether Hurricane Melissa caused any deaths in Jamaica – McKenzie

Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie says the Government has not received reports of any Hurricane Melissa-related deaths.

“We are not in a position to speak about any deaths because we have not had any reports of any deaths so far,” McKenzie told a news conference on Wednesday morning, a day after the passage of the Category 5 storm.

“So we cannot presume that there are deaths. I’m hoping that there are no deaths to report on,” he added.

McKenzie said that sections of the country have been devastated by the hurricane, highlighting severe flooding in St James.

He said that the Barnett River overflowed, with up to 16 feet of water covering sections of Montego Bay.

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Public infrastructure suffered extensive damage, including the infirmary, the St James Municipal Corporation building, Jarrett Park, St James High School, and the Sangster International Airport.

And with some communication finally coming through from western parishes most affected by Hurricane Melissa, McKenzie said most of them are distress calls.

He said that overnight there were calls about persons trapped on roofs.

McKenzie said first responders are now making efforts to rescue persons, particularly in the Catherine Hall area of St James.