15 health centres reopened in Clarendon

Fifteen of 32 health centres across Clarendon have resumed operations following the passage of Hurricane Beryl over a week ago.

Acting parish disaster coordinator for Clarendon, Staphel Thomas, says 31 were closed following the hurricane.

Among the reopened facilities are Spaldings, Tweedside, Milk River and May Pen health centres.

Thomas gave the update at Thursday's sitting of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation.

He said health centres, emergency shelters, and a police station are among public facilities damaged in Clarendon during Hurricane Beryl's passage.

Thomas said the roof of the Exeter Police Station in Race Course was damaged, prompting the relocation of operations to the Lionel Town Police Station.

He disclosed, too, that 25 emergency shelters were activated, providing refuge to over 277 residents. More than 30 residents are still being housed at a shelter in Rocky Point, having lost their homes to the hurricane. One resident remains at a shelter in Portland Cottage.

"The parish of Clarendon, particularly the northern and southern belts, experienced significant damage including downed trees and utility poles, blocked roads and flooding. There was a considerable amount of damage to housing. Initial assessments revealed that Mitchell Town, Rocky Point and Portland Cottage were the worst affected," said Thomas.

Several farmers in the northern sections of the parish suffered tremendous losses, according to Thomas.

Councillor Scean Barnswell disclosed that a section of the shelter at Portland Cottage Primary was damaged, while Councillor Carlton Bailey noted damage to Milk River and Rest primary schools. Bailey expressed concern about whether the schools would be repaired in time for the new term in September.

The parish's acting chief engineering officer, Clevon Watson, reported that over 233 parochial roads were significantly damaged, including those in Cockpit, Banks and Coffee Piece in the northern section of the parish.

- Olivia Brown

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.