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.

Several residents who had sought escape from the wrath of Hurricane Dean at provided shelters were today displeased with the conditions they turned up to find.

Photo by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer: Cynthia Smith and her grandson try remain calm ease despite knowing that Hurricane Dean was about to hit Jamaica. Ms. Smith was one of 62 persons sheltering at the Easington Primary School in St. Thomas.  

The Gleaner news team visited sections of the St. Thomas, St. Catherine and Clarendon where the residents had sought refuge from the storm.

Norma Sewell, shelter manager at the Easington Primary School in St. Thomas, where about 62 persons had been staying since Saturday, said she needed more food and medication for children. “We brought some things but it is not enough. We need food and we need like Children’s Panadol and other medication like that for the children,” she said.

She added that she did not have a raincoat or water boots to go outside when necessary. People at the shelter came from Sun Valley, Spring Garden and Easington.

Over at the G.C. Foster College in Spanish Town, St. Catherine,  residents turned up to find unsecured windows, windows without panes and broken doors on classrooms where they were supposed to stay. In addition shelter manager, Winsome Keane-Dawes, said the bathrooms were filthy and unfit for use.

Over at the Portland Cottage Primary, in Clarendon, Inez Williams, the shelter manager said persons were arriving faster than expected and they had already surpassed the number of residents expected. The shelter, which can hold 250 persons had 226 persons when the news team visited although the shelter manager expected 220 persons.

David Dixon, shelter manager for the Bustamante High School in Lionel Town, Clarendon, said over 100 persons were at the shelter. He said that while the high school was large enough to accommodate a large number of persons, he could not manage alone. 

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