Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, says all systems and personnel are fully activated as Tropical Storm Melissa nears the island. He said that the agency has been monitoring the system since last Thursday, (October 16). “To date, we have carried out a number of activities in terms of our general preparation....

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in St. Elizabeth is fully operational and prepared to respond to Tropical Storm Melissa, which could pose a threat to Jamaica within the next 48 hours. Following an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday, October 21, Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Rasha Lloyd, told JIS News that all supporting agencies have...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, says the Government has a strong disaster management template in place as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica. “The Government really did significant work before, during and after Hurricane Beryl [last year] to ensure that the country was able to recover stronger,”...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has assured that the Government is fully prepared to address any challenges that arise due to the impending passage of Tropical Storm Melissa. “I want to reassure the country of Jamaica's readiness to face up to this challenge that is imminent. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM),...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, is urging Jamaicans to prepare as the country braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa. “This is certainly not a time for panic, but it is a time for preparation,” he said, during a special press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) this morning (October 22)....

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Delroy Williams, says the impact of local government touches all aspects of the lives of Jamaicans. “You can’t hide from it; we are involved in every aspect of your life, for example road maintenance, flood mitigation, building regulations, disaster management and responsiveness – all of it is...

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) remains in constant communication with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica. According to the latest updates, Tropical Storm Melissa has slowed significantly, and a further decrease in forward speed is projected. School boards and principals have been urged to assess their local circumstances carefully and make informed decisions regarding school operations, under...