This week, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Caribbean region, bringing winds of 140 to 160 mph, and becoming the first hurricane on record to reach category 5 so early in the Atlantic. In Jamaica, and the Eastern Caribbean, entire communities have been flooded, houses destroyed, livelihoods wiped out, and the full scale of this event is not yet known....

The Government of Jamaica expresses its deepest condolences to the families of Alrick Moncrieffe and Kayon Sterling who died as a result of the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time. Hurricane Beryl has brought significant hardship to our nation, and any loss of life is a profound tragedy. On behalf...

The Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay was scheduled to reopen on Thursday (July 4) at 6:00 p.m., while the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston is expected to reopen on Friday (July 5) at 5:00 a.m. This, following their closure due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl on Wednesday (July 3). An Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ)...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging livestock owners to take pictures of their losses and submit them to the entity to facilitate damage assessments. Senior RADA Livestock Officer, Maxine Brown, says farmers should not bury their animals without first carefully documenting losses. “Sometimes they bury the animals very quickly and then there’s no evidence to say that, yes,...

Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay, is urging persons to comply with the various safety messages and protocols that have been issued by the police and other State agencies for their protection. She told JIS News that the police continue to maintain public order and assist with disaster...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reporting that approximately 970 persons relocated to emergency shelters across Jamaica, consequent on Hurricane Beryl’s passage on Wednesday (July 3). The agency advises that, as of Thursday (July 4), 162 shelters remain open, while 38 have been closed. This was disclosed by Acting Director General, ODPEM, Richard Thompson, during an...

As Jamaica begins its recovery from the effects of Hurricane Beryl, the Ministry of Health & Wellness is advising the public to observe the following health tips: • Do not go outside until absolutely necessary. • Wear water boots or closed shoes. • Wear gloves when clearing debris or disposing of dirty water. • If you get a puncture wound,...