Jamaicans in Florida at risk of Hurricane Milton urged to evacuate

Jamaica's Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, has called for Jamaicans living in the path of Hurricane Milton to evacuate and to follow all official advice to weather the storm.

“I am urging all Jamaicans in the Florida area to take all necessary action and to follow all official advisories relating to Hurricane Milton. Those in flood prone areas should also evacuate such areas immediately,” he said.

Areas where Jamaicans live that are being threatened by the hurricane include Tampa Bay, Fort Myers, Orlando, Jacksonville and Sarasota.

Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida tomorrow night and residents living in the path of the system are being advised to evacuate to higher ground because of the possibility of high winds and storm surges which forecasters said could reach over 10-feet.

Hurricane Milton is the second hurricane in two weeks to bear down on Florida.

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Hurricane Helene caused major damage in parts of Florida two weeks ago.

The consul general stated that Hurricane Milton is a dangerous weather system which should not be taken lightly.

“We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all Jamaican nationals in the path of the hurricane remain safe and are able to return to their homes once the storm has passed,” he said.

Mair also said that the consulate offices will be closed on Wednesday and will reopen on Friday.

“Although the hurricane is much further north we are all under a tropical storm watch hence the closing of our offices,” he said.

- Lester Hinds