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By Gabe Whisnant
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Jamaica's South East Regional Health Authority is warning residents in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas to use extreme caution as heavy rains and flooding from Hurricane Melissa could displace crocodiles from their natural habitats.
The agency said rising water levels in rivers, gullies and swamps may push the reptiles into residential areas in search of dry ground. Residents living near these areas are urged to remain alert and stay out of floodwaters.
Officials advised the public not to wade or play in flooded areas, to keep children and pets away from water where crocodiles may appear, and to avoid trying to capture or harm the animals. SERHA also urged residents to clear drains and yards of debris to prevent stagnant water buildup.
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Crocodiles in Jamaica: What to Know
Jamaica’s only native species of crocodile, the American crocodile, is found primarily in the island’s southern coastal wetlands, rivers and mangrove swamps. The species is classified as vulnerable and protected under Jamaican law, but encounters between humans and crocodiles occasionally occur, especially after heavy rains or hurricanes when rising water levels force the reptiles out of their habitats and into populated areas.
Authorities regularly urge residents to avoid flooded areas and report any sightings to the National Environment and Planning Agency, which oversees wildlife management. Despite their fearsome reputation, Jamaican crocodiles generally avoid humans and attacks are rare. Conservationists say habitat loss, illegal hunting and pollution pose far greater threats to the species than human interaction, and they continue to advocate for stricter protection of the island’s wetlands to preserve the crocodile population.
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Hurricane Melissa: Latest Updates
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest storm ever to strike the Caribbean island since record-keeping began 174 years ago. The Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph, also ties the record for the most powerful Atlantic hurricane to hit land.
Melissa roared ashore near St. Elizabeth parish on Jamaica’s southern coast and is expected to cut diagonally across the island before exiting near St. Ann parish in the north. Forecasters warned of a life-threatening storm surge up to 13 feet along the southern coast and catastrophic rainfall capable of triggering flash floods and landslides. Officials said all preparations were complete and cautioned that damage assessments could take time. The storm has already been blamed for at least seven deaths across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, said that even after Melissa’s center moved offshore, “dangerous conditions” would continue across Jamaica. The storm was forecast to make landfall in eastern Cuba late Tuesday or early Wednesday, bringing a storm surge up to 12 feet and as much as 20 inches of rain in some areas.
“Numerous landslides are likely in those areas,” Brennan said.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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