Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is urging residents in flood-prone and high-risk communities to utilise the island’s emergency shelters as Hurricane Melissa continues to affect Jamaica. He made the appeal while providing an update from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) during a media briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has informed that the security forces are properly mobilised and deployed to maintain law and order during and after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. “I am sufficiently satisfied that the security forces are properly deployed in such a way as to prevent any break in law and order. Whenever there is any...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers across Jamaica to complete their final rounds of preparation as Hurricane Melissa draws closer to the country. Director of Public Relations and Communication, Camille Beckford, told JIS News that RADA has been in constant communication with farmers, providing practical guidance to help them safeguard their crops and livestock. The entity has...

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) is urging all mariners to ensure that all the necessary preparations are in place as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island’s coastal waters. All vessel operators are strongly advised to avoid venturing out to sea under any circumstances and to ensure that their vessels and equipment are properly secured to prevent damage and loss. The...

Category Five Hurricane Melissa is forecast to make landfall early Tuesday (October 28), in eastern Westmoreland or western St. Elizabeth, before exiting the island along the St. Ann coastline by evening. Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), Evan Thompson, provided the update from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and...

A central command centre has been established at the St. Ann Municipal Corporation to gather real-time information about Hurricane Melissa and to direct responses from multiple agencies. According to Chairman and Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis, the Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) will serve as the nerve centre for monitoring, coordinating, and delivering aid as the storm progresses. “We...

The Government has issued a mandatory evacuation Order for several communities along the south coast as Hurricane Melissa moves closer to Jamaica. The evacuation Order applies to Port Royal in Kingston; Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon; Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine; and New Haven, Riverton City and Taylor Land in St. Andrew. This Order was signed under...