Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, business owners in St. Thomas have united to mobilise a series of donations for communities most severely impacted by the disaster in western Jamaica. Dubbed ‘St. Thomas Helping Hands’, the initiative has facilitated the assembly of more than 700 care packages, to date, containing food, clothing, and personal items. Additional...

The Water Resources Authority (WRA) is reporting that the flooding affecting sections of Content in Williamsfield in Manchester is due to a significant rise in groundwater levels in the local aquifer system. Groundwater measurements from the Content borehole indicate that between September 25 and November 3, Jamaica’s groundwater levels increased by about 100 metres (330 feet). The rise occurred as...

Most roadways in Trelawny Northern have been successfully cleared by the National Works Agency (NWA) and contractors, following Hurricane Melissa’s impact. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, says the majority of roadways are now accommodating either single- or double-lane traffic. “North Trelawny is a very important tourist...

Police personnel in St. Elizabeth who were affected by Hurricane Melissa are receiving psychological support and counselling as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) moves swiftly to assist members impacted by the devastating category-five storm. Head of the St. Elizabeth Police Division, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, told JIS News that approximately 70 police members across the parish have, so far, been identified...

The Government is reporting that more than 600 educational institutions sustained damage during the passage of category-five Hurricane Melissa. “In the affected parishes, we have a little bit over 450 schools that have been affected, and that’s across the board – infant schools, primary schools, secondary schools and also eight tertiary schools. So far, we’ve seen estimates of 616 institutions...

Director General at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, says that more than 36,000 food packages have been delivered to people who were severely impacted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Giving an update at a Special Press Briefing for Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Thursday (November 6), he...

The Government’s coordination of relief in response to Hurricane Melissa will be bolstered by support from the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS). The disclosure was made by Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Thursday’s (November 6) special press briefing, focused on recovery from category-five Hurricane Melissa, at Jamaica House....