Drains Being Cleaned, 76 Shelters Identified
St Ann’s Bay, St Ann; June 16, 2026
Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC), Mayor Michael Belnavis says St. Ann is prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season.
The season began on June 1 and runs until November 30.
(Mayor Michael Belnavis, left, addressing a press briefing on Hurricane preparedness, on Monday. June 15. With him is Disaster Coordinator for St Ann, Alvin Clarke)
St Ann did not suffer as badly as the Western parishes, but there was damage to homes and farms from Hurricane Melissa in the west and south of the parish. Several government facilities, including the St Ann’s Bay Hospital, also suffered damage, and there was widespread loss of electricity and internet access for months
Speaking at the Corporation’s Hurricane Preparedness press conference on Monday, June 15, at the Council chambers, Mayor Belnavis said the cleaning of drains had commenced.
The Mayor indicated that the Municipal Chamber has been designated as the primary Emergency Operations Centre, while the Police Headquarters, also I St Ann’s Bay, has been identified as an alternative location should circumstances require it.
“We want to [assure] the public and residents of St. Ann that we are ready to deal with all these eventualities. It is so important to get these things together.” He said.
Disaster Coordinator for St. Ann, Alvin Clarke, said 76 shelters are in place, and that all of them have been inspected.
He said that a special shelter management programme was designed, aimed at better preparing the SAMC for a hurricane.
Mr Clarke called on all stakeholders, including councillors, to play their part in the preparation efforts. He also urged residents to take steps to ensure that their homes are hurricane-ready.
