Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica is to be declared a disaster area shortly, as the country remains on alert for Tropical Storm Melissa. Jamaica has been under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch since Thursday (October 23). “Under the Disaster Risk Management Act, when the Orders are proclaimed, which we expect that we...

As Tropical Storm Melissa edges closer to Jamaica, local tourism stakeholders across the island are tightening procedures and reinforcing safety to protect staff, guests and clients. Executives, hoteliers and attraction operators say they are ready to adapt operations quickly, while prioritising life and property. Lowell Spence, owner of Smokeez Seafood Restaurant in Rose Hall, St James, told JIS News in...

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is reporting that 72.3 per cent of schools across the island now have broadband access. Project Lead and Transformation Officer for the Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) Programme in the Ministry, Dr. Venesse Morrison Leon, made the disclosure while addressing a TREND/Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) press conference at the University...

The St. James Police Division is heightening its operational readiness as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is set to play a critical role in maintaining law and order, supporting rescue operations, and ensuring public safety throughout the parish. Commanding Officer for the Division, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Eron Samuels, said that the JCF’s hurricane preparedness strategy involves...

The approximately 76 shelters in the parish of Portland are in a state of readiness as the parish braces for Tropical Storm Melissa, which is slowly approaching the island. “We have prepositioned bedding and other items in communities. We have items in store, and we know that we will continue to be supported by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and...

The National Water Commission (NWC) has enacted measures to ensure that water is supplied before, during and after the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, says Acting President, Kevin Kerr. Stating that the NWC has “moved into a heightened state of readiness”, he said that the agency’s key priorities are to protect the safety of its employees, infrastructure and critical assets,...

Jamaica’s two main telecommunications providers – Flow and Digicel – have activated their emergency response centres as the country prepares for Tropical Storm Melissa. “Flow Jamaica has fully activated its crisis management system with support from local and regional teams. Power resilience has been strengthened with more than 61 per cent of mobile sites now having backed up power and...