Go-Jamaica Weather Watch

Leighton Williams, Gleaner Staff Reporter

Muriel McCarthy and her cousin Rachel Taylor left nothing to chance on Sunday night when she and her cousin moved into the National Arena, St. Andrew as they prepared for Hurricane Dean.

Muriel who said she was in her 70’s sat in her wheelchair and watched as several children kicked a tennis ball and shouted.

“I live with my cousin and where I am is not so safe in Port Royal and since they told us to come here I came with my cousin who lives with me,” she said.

Her cousin was lying on a cot sleeping, huddled in a corner to keep warm.

“Mi an’ her a di same age an’ is only the two of us so we moved in here,” said Muriel.

“So far it all right,” she  continued. “We’ve been here since Saturday night and it has been okay. Right now I’m a bit worried about where we live but I know the neighbours will look after it. We just leave because it wasn’t safe for just the two of us being there alone.”

Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer: Muriel McCarthy and her cousin Rachel Taylor (background) in the hurricane shelter at the National Arena, St. Andrew. 

They were not the only family who sought shelter in the National Arena.  Cancer patient Patricia Riley said she, her male friend and two children came to the National Arena because her home was not safe.

“I live off Windward Road and because I’m not so well and the house have a leak I decided to come here to be safe. My son lives nearby so he will give an eye,” she said cuddling her daughter.

Other residents in the centre came from areas such as Yallahs, Bull Bay and other areas around Kingston.

“Our area (Bull Bay) is flood prone so we wanted to be safe and as a result wi come here because mi caan tek di flood,” said one evacuee.

Meanwhile, members of the Red Cross who were monitoring the shelter said up to midday yesterday 91 persons had taken refuge there and they were preparing for more. The Red Cross was unwilling to say how much persons the National Arena could hold but that their supplies were sufficent.

Feedback: leighton.williams@gleanerjm.com