McKenzie confirms four hurricane deaths in St Elizabeth
· The GleanerMinister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie has confirmed that four persons have died in St Elizabeth as a result of the heavy winds and rain that battered the parish and the rest of the country during Hurricane Melissa.
The deceased are three men and a woman, whose identities have not been disclosed.
In a statement on Wednesday, McKenzie said they were discovered after being washed up by the flood waters generated by the hurricane.
“These persons are, by all indications, direct victims of the hurricane, and I am hoping that there will be no more fatalities. Despite the fact that deaths are always possible during severe climatic events, your Government works with the constant optimism that all lives will be spared. This is therefore a deeply regrettable development, and the Government expresses sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” he said.
“I also want to urge everyone once again to remain cautious and to heed the information coming from the Meteorological Service, which is that a flash flood watch is in effect for the island. More importantly, heavy rains are expected to dump three to six inches of water across Jamaica today. Let us all be careful and do all we can to ensure that no more lives are lost.”