The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has initiated a call-out of the Jamaica National Reserve (JNR) in response to the threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to impact Jamaica over the next 48 hours. The move forms part of the JDF’s wider operational response plan to support the national disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance efforts in the aftermath of...

Residents of St. James, Trelawny and Hanover are being urged to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Principal Director, Meteorological Services Branch in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Evan Thompson, said that based on the projected path of Hurricane Melissa they will be affected by the system. “There are places on the northern side that don't...

Approximately 30 people are being accommodated in eight shelters in St. James as the parish intensifies its readiness for the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking with JIS News, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, said that the other shelters will open as needed. “Calls have been made for two more to be activated this morning. So, we’re going to...

The Westmoreland Health Department is monitoring emergency shelters across the parish to ensure that proper hygiene and disease-prevention measures are in place during Hurricane Melissa. “We have visited three shelters so far – Godfrey Stewart High, Unity Primary and Williamsfield Primary,” Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, told JIS News. “[We] have focused on safety in terms...

Eleven shelters have opened in Westmoreland and are occupied, says Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy. He told JIS News in an interview that the parish continues preparedness and mitigation activities in response to the impending Hurricane Melissa. “Persons have begun taking refuge in designated facilities across the parish, including areas in eastern Westmoreland, such as Petersville,” the Mayor noted....

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, is reminding residents to pay keen attention to food-safety practices as the parish braces for the effects of Hurricane Melissa. “In times like these, it’s your food safety that becomes very important because the possibility exists that we might have power outages,” he said in an interview with JIS News. Mr....

With a Mandatory Evacuation Order issued for several communities along the country’s south coast, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging citizens to obey the legal directive. The Mandatory Evacuation Order applies to several vulnerable communities along the south coast as Hurricane Melissa moves closer to the island. The communities include Port Royal in Kingston; Portland Cottage...