Sports Complex announced as shelter; others checked

While announcing that the Multi-purpose Sports Complex in Road Town will be added as a shelter for Hurricane Maria, members of the National Emergency Operations Committee (NEOC) said they will today examine the condition of other shelters already in operation.

Sharleen DaBreo, who jointly heads the NEOC with Premier Dr D Orlando Smith and Governor Augustus Jaspert, said there are 11 other shelters in place.

“What we are doing today, is that we are going to every single one of those facilities to check the structure, the public health conditions, and the conditions of individuals in those shelters,” said DaBreo who is also Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).

The DDM boss said persons will be relocated to safer shelters if any structure appear compromised or unsafe.

“That decision will be made today so the final listing of the shelters to support Maria’s response will be issued this afternoon.”

Unofficial reports are that Maria has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. It is expected to impact the territory tomorrow through to Wednesday.