The St Ann Municipal Corporation is confident that it has measures in place to prepare for what is expected to be an active hurricane season this year.
Head of the corporation, Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis, says councillors in the parish have been allocated more than $1 million each to clean and repair drains in their divisions.
Belnavis was speaking at a media briefing at the corporation’s chamber on Thursday afternoon following its monthly meeting.
“This hurricane season is being anticipated to be very active, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes of category three or higher.
“We are expecting more than normal hurricanes coming through. So we are taking all precautions to ensure that the people of St Ann are cared for and safe,” said Belnavis.
He was joined by minority leader in the corporation Ian Bell (People’s National Party, Beecher Town Division) and the St Ann Disaster Coordinator Alvin Clarke.
According to Belnavis, the municipal corporation has been given well in excess of $20 million for drain cleaning in the last two months and all 16 councillors have started work to ensure that drains are well maintained.
He said he is expecting additional funds from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development for further allocations to be made to facilitate another phase of drain cleaning, especially in the areas that are referred to as the parish’s flooding hot spots — Cave Valley, Moneague, Pedro River, Douglas Castle, and Middlesex.
Belnavis said councillors whose divisions cover these flooding hot spots are entitled to more funds than others giving the nature of the areas.