The Government of Jamaica, following advice from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and in accordance with powers under Section 26(2)(c) of the Disaster Risk Management Act, has issued the Disaster Risk Management (Hurricane Melissa) Evacuation Order, 2025. Evacuation Orders have therefore been issued for the following high-risk areas: 1.Port Royal, Kingston 2.Portland Cottage, Clarendon 3.Rocky Point,...

The Ministry of Health & Wellness wishes to advise the public that due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa, health centres across the island remain closed. All primary care services are suspended and patients with appointments are asked to be in touch with their health centre later this week to reschedule appointments. All public hospitals remain open. Meanwhile, persons with...

The Meteorological Services has issued latest Severe Weather Alert effective until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2025. In the event that conditions become favorable for the development of a Tropical Storm or Cyclone, the RADA is advising farmers to make necessary preparations for minimizing impacts of flooding and wind damage. These include the following: Advisory to Crop Farmers o Clear...

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH is now in effect for Jamaica as there is the potential for a tropical cyclone to form in the central Caribbean later today. This means that Tropical Storm conditions could pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours. Satellite, radar, and surface observations suggests that the area of Low Pressure over the central Caribbean Sea...

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings, today, September 25, 2025, upgraded Jamaica’s long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings from 'BB-' to BB,' while its outlook remains “Positive”. The rating reflects S&P’s assessment of Jamaica’s strengthening institutional and policy frameworks, supported by consensus across both political parties and various economic sectors on macroeconomic policies focused on debt reduction. It...

Following the appointment of Cabinet Ministers, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, has announced the appointment of a new cohort of Ministers of State and a Parliamentary Secretary. The following Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are to be appointed as Ministers of State: 1.Kerensia Morrison – Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport 2.Krystal Lee...