As the island enters the emergency period for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl, there is a call for persons to be very careful how they store food and water, as serious contamination can follow heavy rains. According to Director of Health Promotion and Protection in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Simone Spence, food should not be stored with...

Residents making their way to shelters across the island ahead of the passage of Hurricane Beryl are being reminded to bring essential supplies to last up to three days. “We normally say to persons, bring your food supplies – non-perishables –because persons themselves can't cook in the shelters,” Acting Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard...

The St. Elizabeth Health Department has ramped up its disaster preparedness measures, as Hurricane Beryl is expected to affect the island, today (July 3). Parish Manager for the St. Elizabeth Health Department, Sean Brissett, outlined to JIS News the comprehensive measures being taken to ensure the safety of patients and the continuity of essential health services. “Where there are critical...

Vulnerable persons, including those living in low-lying and flood prone areas, are being urged to move to emergency shelters now before the full effect of Hurricane Beryl begins to impact the island. Speaking to JIS News this morning (July 3), Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, said persons must not wait...

The National Works Agency (NWA) has opened its Emergency Operations Centre as part of its response to the likely impact of Hurricane Beryl on the island’s road network. Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says that the Centre was operationalized at 7:00 a.m. today and will be manned on a 24-hour basis. Persons are being advised...

The Ministry of Health & Wellness wishes to advise the public that all health centres have been closed for today (Wednesday, July 3, 2024). • Staff of these facilities are to check with their parish Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to find out whether they are to be deployed elsewhere. • Persons with chronic diseases and those requiring immunizations, antenatal care...

The security forces will be fully mobilised to maintain public order and assist with disaster relief as soon as Hurricane Beryl passes Jamaica. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during a national broadcast on Tuesday (July 2). He said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have developed strategic plans to counter any...