Go-Jamaica Weather Watch

Up to 5:00 pm, several residents of the Rocky Point community were seen on the road playing football and dominos, seemingly oblivious to the threat of the impending storm.

Residents say, despite the storm, they are reluctant to relocate, partly because of the distance to the shelters and partly because they see it as routine.

They say the nearest shelter in Lionel Town is four miles away and the building does not protect them from the wind and rain. They also say that at the Bustamante high School, water comes in on them through brick walls.

In other communities such as Salt River, Mitchell Town and Portland Cottage, residents are doing quiet preparation and have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

Earlier this afternoon, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, along with councillor for the Rocky Point division, Winston Maragh, paid a visit to these communities to implore residents to take precautions in terms of preparations and evacuation.

The prime minister also paid a visit to the shelter at the Portland Cottage, which presently houses 18 persons who have decided to err on the side of caution.

Over in the Hayes community, which is in the vicinity of Jamalco, the National Works Agency is carrying out a massive drain cleaning exercise.

In the May Pen town centre all business places are closed, including fast food outlets, with the exception of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Despite the lack of business, the town is still populated with persons trying to get last minute supplies.