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The National Meteorological Service has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for Jamaica with immediate effect even as Hurricane Tomas continues to strengthen near western Haiti. In light of this, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising that all non-essential workers within the public and private sectors in the Parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas,...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, is cautioning business operators against asking non-essential workers to report for work after his office has advised otherwise. He said it was important that non-essential workers remain at home when instructed to do so, as the advisories are usually issued in times of serious threat from...

Jamaicans woke up this morning (November 5), to the news that Tomas, which had made the transformation from tropical depression to hurricane and back several times, is now a category 1 hurricane heading away from the island toward disaster ravaged Haiti. Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ronald Jackson told JIS News that Tomas is...

Due to the Tropical Storm Warning which is still in effect for the island the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Education is directing that all schools in the Eastern Parishes - Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary and Portland will remain closed for Friday November 5, 2010. The ODPEM continues to...

The Meteorological Service reported at 8 p.m. Thursday that Tropical Storm Tomas seemed to be getting better organised, as it moved towards the east coast of Jamaica. National Hurricane Center imagery. Bulletin # 27 from the Service said that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 95 km/h (60 mph. The full text of Bulletin # 27 read: "A TROPICAL...

Portland's preparedness for the impact of Tropical Storm Tomas was outlined to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, during an emergency meeting of the Portland Disaster Committee at the Parish Council chamber on Thursday (November 4). Prime Minister Bruce Golding addressing the Portland Disaster Committee's emergency meeting on Thursday (November 4), in the Portland Parish Council chamber to discuss plans for Portland's...

The latest Meteorological Service Bulletin (#26), issued at 5 p.m. Thursday (November 4), says that Tropical Storm Tomas should pass near Jamaica's east coast tonight, dumping rain on sections of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine, on its way to Haiti and Cuba. According to the Bulletin, storm force winds extend outwards, up to...

The Ministry of National Security has assumed responsibility for the first shelter for trafficked persons. The shelter has been retrofitted and funding for its furnishing will be provided by the Ministry of Justice. This was announced by Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz, at the Post Cabinet Press Briefing on November 3. Minister Vaz said that Cabinet noted an...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING remains in effect for Jamaica as the centre of Tomas starts to move towards the north, closer to the eastern end of the island. This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 34-63 knots or 63-117 km/h, are expected in 36 hours or less. At 10:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm...

Residents of St. Mary have been urged to make the necessary preparation to ensure the safety of their families and their homes, with the imminent threat from Tropical Depression Tomas. Speaking to JIS News on November 3, Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary, said although drains in the parish were cleaned recently, plans are in place to carry out...

Three districts are still under water from Tropical Storm Nicole, but Mayor of Lucea and Chairman of the Hanover Parish Council, Councillor Lloyd Hill, insists that the parish is as prepared as it can be for any eventualities from Tropical Storm Tomas. Mayor Hill made the declaration in an interview with JIS News following an emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting...

The St. Thomas and St. Catherine parish councils have activated their emergency disaster plans to protect lives and property against the possible effects of Tropical Depression Tomas. While the weather system has been downgraded from a hurricane, the Meteorological Service has warned that it could re-strengthen as it moves close to Jamaica, which means that storm conditions, including heavy rains...