Both of Jamaica’s international airports have suspended operations as Hurricane Melissa draws closer to the island. Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston ceased operations following the final incoming flight on Saturday (October 25), while Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St. James, closed at midday on Sunday (October 26). Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz,...

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) is advising the public to brace for increased rainfall, as the outer bands of Hurricane Melissa have begun to affect sections of the island. Principal Director, Evan Thompson, notes that while parts of the country have been experiencing intermittent rainfall, conditions are expected to intensify as Hurricane Melissa draws nearer. “Sections of the...

Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says he has received a force majeure request from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), which will enable the company to take swift action in response to Hurricane Melissa. He explained that the force majeure is a contract clause that temporarily relieves a party from fulfilling their obligations when an extraordinary...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is appealing to Jamaicans residing in low-lying and flood-prone areas to heed the evacuation warnings. Some of these areas are Port Royal, Kingston; Rocky Point and Portland Cottage in Clarendon; Bamboo River, St. Thomas; and New Haven, Riverton City and Taylor Land in St. Andrew. Minister McKenzie noted that transportation...

Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), Evan Thompson, says Melissa, which is now a category four system, is unprecedented for Jamaica. “A Category 4 hurricane is more than we have experienced before moving across the island,” he said while addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday (Oct. 25). “Gilbert was a Category 3 hurricane...

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, citizens are being urged to take the threat seriously and follow all official instructions. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that based on the projections, the weather system is moving slowly but definitely towards the island. He said that citizens should adhere to...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness says Jamaicans should prepare for a prolonged period of intense rainfall and strong winds as the slow-moving Hurricane Melissa makes landfall. “The system is quite an unusual one, sitting in the Caribbean Sea for such a long time, making up its mind about where it will go. It is obvious that it...