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The country's emergency response system stood up to the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan, with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) able to maintain islandwide communication and provide relief assistance where needed. Deputy Director General of the ODPEM, Paul Saunders, told JIS News, that the agency maintained cellular and landline communication throughout the duration of the hurricane and...

Head of the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), Superintendent Ionie Ramsay, has said that reports of widespread looting in the country are totally incorrect. In an interview with JIS News, the Superintendent stated that the security force was extremely effective in maintaining law and order during Hurricane Ivan, which was due in part to strategies previously "worked out". So far, there...

The international community has responded overwhelmingly to the needs of the country, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, while addressing a meeting of the National Disaster Committee at Jamaica House today (September 12), informed that he had received calls from Heads and representatives of government, and that a delegation from Venezuela would be arriving at the...

About 3,500 persons had to seek shelter at 55 centres across the parish of St. Catherine after several homes were flooded and others washed away, following heavy rains caused by Hurricane Ivan on September 10. The St. Catherine Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Yvonne Mundel told JIS News, that this figure was decreasing, as some persons were returning to their homes. She...

Not many Jamaicans will soon forget Friday, September 10, 2004. It was the day when the country experienced one of the most devastating hurricanes (Ivan) to hit the island in 16 years. But there are some eight Jamaican families who will remember the day for another reason. This was the day when the latest additions to their families came into...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising persons who live close to the sea that you MUST move inland. Persons may contact the Parish Council offices for the shelters nearest to them. Persons MUST MOVE before nightfall. Persons in small wooden houses and informal settlements should try to get to safe shelter with family, friends and...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is reporting that the nation has begun feeling the effects of Hurricane Ivan as it continues on the forecast track towards Jamaica. Shelter Arrangements Several shelters in the parish of St. Mary are now open as identified below: Wood Park United Church Wood Park Health Centre Port Maria High School Annotto Bay...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is advising that persons within Portmore who now need to evacuate must utilize the shelters within Portmore. Shelter Arrangements Several shelters in the parish of St. Catherine are now open as identified below: Gregory Park Junior High School Portmore Heart Academy Kensington Primary School Portsmouth Primary School Persons must take the following...

As preparations for Hurricane Ivan continue, each Member of Parliament will be allocated $100,000 for Emergency Preparedness and Response Operations for the hurricane. Minister of Land and Environment, Honourable Dean Peart made this announcement today. The funds will be allocated from the Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP) funds. In addition, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is...

The Office of Disaster and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is recommending that persons in the following areas consider evacuating: Kingston Port Royal All fishing villages Old Harbour Fishing Village Caribbean Terrace in Harbour View Portmore Braeton Phase 1 (Lower section) Edgewater Phase 1 (Lower section) Bridgeport Marine Park West Bay Port Henderson The public is asked to continue to monitor the...

No more buses will be available for evacuation after 10:30 a.m. this morning. Persons in Port Royal and Portmore MUST get on buses now in these communities: Communities Assembly Points Sheltering area Edgewater Edgewater Baptist Church HEART West Bay Port Henderson Bayside New Testament Church of God HEART, National Arena Braeton Phase 1 & Marine Park Naggo Head Primary School...

As of 7:00 p.m., a one-way system will be implemented out of Portmore along Portmore Parkway, Dawkins Drive and the Causeway into Kingston. All other routes remain the same. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is also advising persons who live along the coast or close to the sea to evacuate further inland. Areas include: 1. Morant...