NEWS RELEASE #2

ISSUED ON: Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 12:15 p.m.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) received the following reports as the island continues to be influenced by unstable weather conditions:St. Thomas

• Cottage Pen is flooded
• One house in Bath collapsed due to a landslide. The occupants have been taken to hospital and are now receiving treatment.
• Flooding has been reported in Castle Gully, York and Seaforth.

St. Elizabeth

• Water is rising in New River, Santa Cruz.

The public is advised to continue monitoring the radio for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides. Also take the following precautions:

• Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Decide on likely evacuation routes now. Plan to stay with family or friends in safer areas or in a public shelter and move to safety.
• Avoid flooded waterways, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.
• Move your refrigerator, stove and furniture to a higher floor, or place them on building blocks and secure to the wall.
• Do not walk outside barefooted during or after the flood event.
• Bury all dead animals right after flooding has subsided.

Fishers and other marine interests must exercise caution due to deteriorating sea conditions in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms, over both inshore and offshore areas.

The Meteorological Service and ODPEM will continue to monitor the situation and further updates will be provided as the situation demands.

Contact: Kerry-Ann Morris, Information Officer