Emergency repairs, including roof replacement, are to be undertaken at the St. Elizabeth Infirmary following severe damage to the facility from Hurricane Melissa. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who toured the infirmary on Saturday (Nov. 15), said he has given directives to fast-track the work to restore normality for the residents and staff. “The roof...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says this year’s Christmas tree-lighting event in the city will be scaled down, reflecting the parish’s ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. Addressing the monthly meeting of the St. James Municipal Corporation on Thursday (November 13), Mayor Vernon said that while the festive tradition will continue, the celebrations will be modest. “Normally we...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has proposed the revision and sustained enforcement of regulations under the Building Act as strategic measures to strengthen national and municipal resilience to extreme environmental events. Addressing the KSAMC’s monthly meeting on Tuesday (November 11), Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, noted that the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28 highlighted...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, says 88 shelters remain operational across nine parishes, currently housing approximately 1,100 citizens, two weeks after the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The hurricane displaced approximately 30,000 households and inflicted damage on more than 130,000 buildings, ranging from partial roof loss to complete...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is engaging additional trucks and contractors as the agency works to clear the increase in garbage across the island, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. He noted that the debris caused by Hurricane Melissa has added to the regular residential and commercial waste, and teams across the island...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, is imploring residents of St. James to avoid using unsafe routes and to heed the warnings of emergency personnel. “Almost all roadways across St. James are now accessible with the exception of Spring Mount and the road leading to Cambridge via Montpelier and Seven Rivers,” he informed. “We do not recommend persons crossing...

WPM Waste Management Limited has intensified clean-up operations across St. James, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, with night shifts now being activated to clear mini dumps and restore cleanliness across Montego Bay. Speaking with JIS News after a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), held at the St. James Municipal Corporation on November 6, Regional...