St. Mary Residents Urged to Prioritise Hurricane Preparedness

Residents of St. Mary are being urged to ensure they are fully prepared for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

Speaking with JIS News during a major hurricane-preparedness initiative in Port Maria, St. Mary, on Sunday (June 14), Mayor of Port Maria and Chairman of the St. Mary Municipal Corporation, Councillor Fitzroy Wilson, stressed that one can never be too prepared for a weather event.

He is reminding residents of key activities such as securing safety equipment, keeping flashlights and batteries on hand, and storing important documents and medications in easily accessible areas to ensure quick movement if necessary.

The Mayor also issued an urgent appeal to individuals constructing buildings along riverbanks and in flood-prone areas.

“You must consult with the Municipal Corporation before you start those investments in building and not having proper foundation for your building and your structure… and then when the disaster comes, you expect the authorities to respond and respond in a certain way,” he said.

Councillor Wilson is also urging residents to act responsibly in disposing of their garbage, noting that improper disposal and debris buildup pose significant threats to the parish’s drainage network.

“We just want to implore to the residents of Port Maria to just work with us to ensure that we have a safe and a clean parish,” the Mayor said.

The hurricane-preparedness initiative, held over the weekend of June 13 to 14, included the cleaning of drains, removal of garbage and debris, as well as the cleaning and sanitation of road surfaces and sidewalks.

The activity involved several stakeholders, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, NEPM Waste Management Limited, and approximately 20 community workers employed for the initiative.