NWA instructed to begin damage assessment of roads following TS Rafael

  

Teams from the National Works Agency have been instructed to begin preliminary damage assessment of the country's road network following severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Rafael.

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says teams from the NWA will deployed to clear blocked roads and restore access to critical areas.

 

He says priority must be given to areas where essential services and first responders, including the Jamaica Public Service Company and the National Water Commission require access to provide aid and support.

 

The National Works Agency says nearly 30 roads have been impacted across several parishes due to heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Rafael.

 

NWA Communication Manager Stephen Shaw says the agency is collecting reports on the extent of the damage across the island.

 

He says southern Clarendon is now feeling the effects of the weather system.

 

"So the Alley bridge, for example, has been overpacked, and we want to advise persons travelling in those areas - Alley, Portland Cottage, Rocky Point, Lionel Town, generally, Racecourse, to exercise extreme caution because we know it continues to rain in the north. The Rio Minho is the main channel through which stormwater flows from the north down to the sea and there are likely to be issues there," he cautioned.  

 

Mr. Shaw said the number of roads affected by the storm is expected to increase as additional reports come in.

 

The Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine remains closed.

 

Motorists are being urged to proceed with caution.

 

There is also extreme flooding in sections of St. Thomas.

 

Shelters 

 

The National Emergency Operations Centre says 32 people have sought refuge from Tropical Storm Rafael in shelters across the island.

 

Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Richard Thompson, says shelters were opened Tuesday morning in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Clarendon, St. Thomas and Kingston and St. Andrew.

 

Mr. Thompson is urging people to remain vigilant although the weather system continues to move away from Jamaica.