The Bamboo River drain in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, is among major channels cleared as the parish readies for Hurricane Melissa. ““I think we have done enough. There are some critical drains (in the parish) and they are cleaned like the one in Bamboo River, which is the main one,” Chief Engineering Officer at the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, Odel...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is encouraging Jamaicans to remain positive as the nation prepares for the impact of category five hurricane Melissa. The system is expected to make landfall early Tuesday (October 28) as a powerful system bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall over the entire country, causing flooding and landslides. “Category five would be a really...

Critical government agencies are fully activated to respond to emergencies during Hurricane Melissa. “Already, we are seeing where persons have been reaching out, seeking assistance, and we have been responding as we get the calls, ” said Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Desmond McKenzie. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security [MLSS]… is already working closely along...

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) reports there are no major incidents on the electricity grid, even as the system is beginning to experience the effects of heightened wind and rainfall. Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure during Monday’s (October 7) press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness...

The public is strongly advised to avoid contact with infrastructure that may be compromised, particularly in areas affected by floodwaters associated with Hurricane Melissa. This urging comes from Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan. “If the bridge looks shaky, do not attempt to go on the bridge...

Jamaica has been receiving pledges of support for hurricane preparation and recovery from its regional and international partners, says Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. “We have received calls of support from our partners – the United Nations, United States, the British, the French, the European Union, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). “All the CARICOM countries...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is reminding Jamaicans that emergency shelters are free of cost and available for all who need safe accommodation during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. “False and malicious information are being circulated about the use of shelters. Someone sent me a message saying that there is a fee being charged for...