May Pen Ice Company runs out of ice as Clarendonians try to save their foods
ABIGAIL BARRETT / Our Today
Nearly a week after Hurricane Beryl plunged many Clarendon communities into darkness, a frenzied demand to save perishable foods has led to a shortage of ice, putting a strain on the May Pen Ice Company.
When contacted by Our Today, the company disclosed that it has not had ice available for days, a shortage downtime which is likely to remain until Thursday (July 11).
Just Sunday, a desperate crowd seeking ice was left disappointed when senior executives explained that no ice would be available for a few days.
While understanding the plight, CEO Peter Thompson said: “Our reserves have been depleted since 11:00 am Sunday, and we simply cannot manufacture what we do not have.”
Thompson explained that the reason they ran out was due to the National Water Commission (NWC) pumps losing electricity after the passage of Hurricane Beryl. He noted that since power returned, and the pumps were back up and running as of today (July 9). the ice company was able to fill all its containers.
“We should have ice by Thursday evening, the latest Friday if all goes well… We did have a power outage this morning between 4: 00 am [and] 6:00 am,” mused Thompson, while warning that the sporadic loss and return of power could lengthen the delay.
When asked how the customers have taken the news that there will be no ice for a few days, the May Pen Ice CEO told Our Today, “The people understand… Some are upset because not having any electricity is like punishment. One and two [customers] will get upset, but the majority are very understanding.”
Beryl impact was particularly crippling for fisherfolk in the hard-hit Treasure Beach community in St Elizabeth, which Thompson also depend on ice from May Pen Ice Company.
“They had no storage and everything spoiled…it’s devastating,” he told Our Today.
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