The National Water Commission’s (NWC) emergency protocols are now fully in place, says Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda. He provided the update during a special press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Saturday (Oct. 25). “We have moved to secure power supply additionally for our loading bays, for our trucking services. We...

Efforts to safeguard farm records, associated documents, and receipts should be high on the agenda of farmers as Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica. This is according to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), which is urging full-scale preparedness among agricultural stakeholders. Senior RADA Plant Health and Food Safety Officer, Francine Webb, told JIS News that safeguarding farm records is a critical...

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) has advised that Tropical Storm Melissa has strengthened into a Category One hurricane and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major system, according to the latest bulletin issued at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (October 25). At that time, the system was located near latitude 16.6 degrees North and longitude 75.2 degrees West—approximately...

The St. James Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been activated,  providing a multi-agency response to Tropical Storm Melissa. Operating from the fourth floor of the St. James Municipal Corporation building in Montego Bay, the centre is a centralised command where a broad coalition of representatives from critical public and private agencies and non-government partners, will monitor and direct preparedness and...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging national solidarity as Jamaica prepares for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is forecast to strengthen into a Category Four hurricane. Addressing a press conference at Jamaica House on Saturday (October 25), Dr. Holness indicated that he was scheduled to meet with Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mark Golding,...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) at high alert as Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifies into a major hurricane. The Parish Emergency Operations Centers & all Emergency Shelters have been activated. The National Emergency Management Mechanism Activation levels are as follows: LEVEL PHASE STAFF Level 1 Monitoring Phase ODPEM staff...

Jamaica’s two major airports will remain open Saturday (Oct. 25) for scheduled flights as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches the island. However, the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston will be closed after Saturday’s last scheduled arriving flight. Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who gave the update during a special press briefing at the Office of...