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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...

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...

The Meteorological Service has advised that Jamaica is now under a Tropical Storm Warning with immediate effect. With this new development the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Education is directing that all schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary and Portland be closed. ODPEM is further advising that with the...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, will address the nation at 9:00 pm tonight (Nov. 4) to further outline the Government's disaster preparedness plan in light of the impending threat of Tropical Depression Tomas. Speaking at yesterday's (Nov. 3) post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding was delighted to see one of his Jamaica House Live fans, Sashagaye Thompson who he had given a wheel chair when she called and told him her story that led to her being placed in a wheelchair for life. 'I'm now in High school, and I have not made my being in a wheelchair stop me',...

St. Ann Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Alvin Clarke is encouraging residents of the parish to be proactive and make the necessary preparations for Tropical Storm Tomas. In an interview with JIS News, following an emergency disaster preparedness meeting on November 2, at the St. Ann Parish Council, Mr. Clarke said the parish remains saturated due to the heavy rainfall from Tropical...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, said on November 3, that his office could begin recommending voluntary evacuation for persons in flood prone areas as soon as this evening. He was addressing a press conference called to discuss evacuation procedures and the opening of shelters, in light of Tropical Depression Tomas, at...