Hurricane Melissa, some of the destructive storms in recent history, has begun to crush Jamaica with violent winds and heavy rains.
But only adding to Jamaicans’ woes, the Category 5 storm can also hurl crocodiles into towns and villages near rivers and swamps.
Health officials have warned that the crocodiles could move into residential areas searching for dry ground as water levels rise.
The warning was issued today to the 1000’s of individuals living within the south-east Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine and St Thomas parishes.
People have been urged to not wade or play in flooded areas and to maintain children and pets away from bodies of water.
If a crocodile is spotted, they ought to be left alone, quite than caught or harmed, the South East Regional Health Authority said, in keeping with the Jamaica Observer.
‘Residents living near these areas are subsequently advised to stay vigilant and avoid floodwaters,’ it added.
Gardens and drains ought to be cleared of debris, if possible, to forestall the buildup of stagnant water.
Jamaica is thought for its deep, mountainous lands crinkled by narrow river valleys and brackish swamps – the sort crocs like to call home.
There is just one species in Jamaica, the American Crocodile, that may be found along the southern coast, from St. Thomas to Westmoreland.
Male American crocs can grow as large as 25 feet, capable of swim through Jamaica’s swamps at 60 miles per hour.
Birds, fish and snakes are inclined to be on the menu for American Crocodiles, though they do occasionally eat rubbish dumped along rivers and beaches, in keeping with environmental officials.
4 people have been killed by crocodiles in Jamaica since 1847. Most injuries brought on by the reptiles are to people fishing of their habitats.
Between hunting and the paving over of wetlands, crocodiles are a protected species within the country, making it illegal to hunt or kill them.
Hurricane Melissa is scraping a slow, wet path across western Jamaica after first slamming into the country near Latest Hope earlier today.
The storm had already reached wind speeds of 185mph when it arrived, with speeds of 200mph expected stretching as wide as 30 miles.
Forecasters say as much as 750mm of rain will fall today and tomorrow, with your entire island under a red hurricane warning.
Flash flooding and landslides have been widely reported, blocking roads to rural, more vulnerable communities.
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