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Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Ports Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay.
Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Ports Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay.

JCF Supporting Recovery At Airports And Seaports

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through its Ports Division, has been providing critical support to the island’s major airports and seaports as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Head of the JCF Ports Division, Senior Superintendent of...
Shelter Manager at the Paul Bogle High School in St. Thomas, Marcia Dixon.
Shelter Manager at the Paul Bogle High School in St. Thomas, Marcia Dixon.

Community Spirit Shines at Paul Bogle High School Shelter
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to businesses in St. James.
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to businesses in St. James.

St. James Municipal Corporation Assessing Hurricane Damage
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz (second right), engages in discussion with Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams-Singh (centre), and Chief Executive Officer of PAC Kingston Airports Limited, Sitara English-Byfield, during a stakeholder tour of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Wednesday (October 29). The visit, led by Minister Vaz, assessed the facility’s readiness to resume operations following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday (October 28). Also pictured (from second left) are President and Chief Executive Officer of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrik, and Chief Information Officer at the Jamaica Customs Agency, André Williams.
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz (second right), engages in discussion with Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams-Singh (centre), and Chief Executive Officer of PAC Kingston Airports Limited, Sitara English-Byfield, during a stakeholder tour of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Wednesday (October 29). The visit, led by Minister Vaz, assessed the facility’s readiness to resume operations following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday (October 28). Also pictured (from second left) are President and Chief Executive Officer of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrik, and Chief Information Officer at the Jamaica Customs Agency, André Williams.

JCAA Working to Ensure Safe Resumption of Aviation Services Following Hurricane Melissa
Minister of Health and Wellness,  Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses staff at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, during a visit to the health facility on Monday (October 27).
Minister of Health and Wellness,  Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses staff at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, during a visit to the health facility on Monday (October 27).

Safeguard Health of Children – Minister Tufton

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Press Release

Non-essential GOJ Offices to Reopen Tomorrow with Special Provisions for Impacted Public Sector Employees

Based on consultations with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), non-essential Government of Jamaica Offices will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was an unprecedented category 5 weather event that made direct passage over western Jamaica. As a result, non-essential public sector employees facing difficulties, whether due to transportation...
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Principal Director of the Meteorological Services Branch in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Evan Thompson, speaks during Tuesday’s (October 28) press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Headquarters on Haining Road in Kingston.
Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall In New Hope, Westmoreland

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica, becoming the most powerful cyclone ever to impact the island. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the category-five hurricane made landfall on Tuesday (October 28) along the island’s southwestern coast near New Hope, Westmoreland, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 295 kilometres per hour (185 miles per hour). Earlier on...
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Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Georgia Rose.
Health & WellnessHurricane Melissa

Jamaicans Urged To Prioritise Wellnes

Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Georgia Rose, is imploring members of the public to prioritise their wellness as the country faces the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking with JIS News, she said individuals should ensure that they are physically active, staying hydrated and eating well and keeping in contact with loved ones. “Reach out to...
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston on Monday (October 27).
CommunityDevelopmentHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Gov’t Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Emergency Shelter Infrastructure

The Government remains committed to investing in the improvement of emergency shelters. This assurance comes from Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who reaffirmed the Administration’s dedication to strengthening shelter facilities across the island. “We’ll be [looking] over the next couple of years, starting next year, to improve on our shelters. I will not deny that...
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Press Release

Service disrupted at Black River Hospital: Emergency protocols activated

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, October 28, 2025: Health service delivery at the Black River Hospital has been disrupted due to the ongoing effects of Hurricane Melissa. The facility’s administrative block has sustained significant damage, and power supply to some areas has been affected. In response, emergency protocols have been activated, with some patients relocated earlier as a precautionary measure. The Ministry...
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Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, addresses a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston on October 28.
Transport

JUTC Emergency Teams In Place

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s emergency standby teams are in place at all depots, says Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz. He noted the company suspended regular road operations last night (October 27) with the exception of transport assistance being provided to essential staff such as hospital workers. “We will have some kind of disruption to the buses...
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Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, Hon. Daryl Vaz, addresses Tuesday’s (October 28) special press conference on Hurricane Melissa at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston.
EnergyHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryTransport

Petrojam Ensuring Airports Are Up to 80 Per Cent Capacity for Aviation Fuel

Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says Petrojam is ensuring that the island’s three international airports, as well as all aerodromes, are at 75 to 80 per cent capacity for aviation fuel. “This will enable aircraft movement to resume immediately [after the hurricane],” he said, while addressing Tuesday’s (October 28) special press conference to update the nation about...
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