MP urges Port Royal residents to relocate ahead of Hurricane Matthew's arrival

Phillip Paulwell, Member of  Parliament for Kingston Eastern & Port Royal, has issued an urgent appeal to residents of  Port Royal to relocate to designated shelters as Hurricane Matthew moves closer to Jamaica.             

High waves and storm surges are expected from the storm.
   
Mr Paulwell, in a release on Saturday morning, said high tides have already started to affect the area.
   
He said severe flooding occurred in the vicinity of the lighthouse along Palisadoes Road leading in and out of Port Royal on Friday evening. Several vehicles had to be towed by heavy duty equipment, coordinated by the Jamaica Defence Force.

The road has since been reopened to vehicular traffic. Motorists are being urged to proceed cautiously, however, when using that section from the airport roundabout to Port Royal.
 
Calvin Allen, acting Assistant Commissioner of  Police, in charge of  the Operations branch, told RJR News that a unit from the Traffic Division was sent to the area on Saturday morning.

Acknowledging that there was "a bit of a challenging there" in respect of the debris deposited overnight, Mr. Allen said it is nevertheless now possible for vehicles to use the road if due care is exercised.

Equipment from the National Works Agency is being used to clear the road, he explained.

Port Royal is a low-lying community at the end of a peninsular, that has been spared the ravages of  previous storms, but Mr. Paulwell has cautioned residents not to take Hurricane Matthew lightly.