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The center of Powerful Hurricane Dean is now just 70 miles away from Kingston, Jamaica. Hurricane-force winds are now likely in full gear especially across the southeastern portion of the island nation. Waves are battering the southern and eastern shore and torrential rains have begun. As Hurricane Dean heads west-northwest, the northern end of its eyewall is now beginning to...

A total of 213 shelters are now opened across the island, housing some 5,169 persons. They are: Parish # of Shelters # of PersonsTrelawny 19 451St. Thomas 14 264St. Mary 5 68St. James 22 555St. Catherine 16 394St. Ann 19 461Portland 31 914Manchester 21 90KSA 21 714Hanover 17 268Clarendon 11 415Westmoreland 8 352St. Elizabeth 9 223TOTAL 213 5169 The public...

We wish to advise persons served by the Mile Gully Primary School in Manchester that it is no longer being used as a shelter. The alternative facility, the Mile Gully Community Centre, will be opened. The public is reminded that, under the National Shelter Programme, government-owned schools are designated as shelters. Updates on other activated shelters will be sent out...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising the public to expect significant storm surges with the passage of Hurricane Dean. A storm surge is an abnormal rise in the water level along the coast or shoreline and can be the most dangerous part of a hurricane. The Met Office predicts that as Hurricane Dean approaches the...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising that the following shelters are currently open across the island: Kingston & St. Andrew: 1. National Arena2. Pembroke Hall High School3. Friendship Brook4. Edith Dalton James High School Manchester: 5. Mile Gully Primary St. Thomas: 6. Spring Garden All Age7. Seaforth High School8. Yallahs Baptist Church9. Morant Bay Primary10....

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica that a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as Hurricane Dean continues to approach Jamaica. A Hurricane Warning means that conditions such as winds, rain and storm surges are likely to affect the island within 24 hours. The ODPEM is advising...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising that the Jamaica Urban Transport Corporation (JUTC) will resume transportation of evacuees to the relevant emergency shelters this morning. Pick up begins at 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. at the designated assembly points outlined below. Portmore:1. Waterford2. Caymans Gardens3. Portsmouth4. Armada Courts5. Port Henderson Road6. Passage Fort7. Independence City8. West...

It has come to the attention of the ODPEM that persons in the designated areas to be evacuated are refusing the Evacuation Order. ALL PERSONS WHO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES CLOSE TO THE SEA ARE ADVISED TO START EVACUATING NOW. A Mandatory Evacuation order has been issued for the following communities in Portmore: Portmore:1. Waterford2. Caymans Gardens3. Portsmouth4. Armada Courts5. Port...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has urged all Jamaicans to unite as the nation prepares for the passage of Hurricane Dean this weekend. She was addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House on Friday, August 17 following a meeting of the National Disaster Committee. The Prime Minister said, "I have asked the Leader of the Opposition to...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Registrar General's Department (RGD), Dr. Patricia Holness is reassuring customers that all documents stored at the agency will be safe, should the island be hit by Hurricane Dean over the weekend. "We assure the public that all is well. We have put our physical preparations in place. Our disaster preparedness teams have met and...

In light of the threat posed by Hurricane Dean, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is advising all animal owners to exercise extreme caution to safeguard human life and livestock. Acting Director of the Veterinary Services Division, Dr. Osbil Watson told JIS News that all owners of livestock are urged to remove these animals to a safe area on their...

The Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture and the Jamaica Tourist Board wish to advise all tourism partners and the public that effective 8:00 a.m. Saturday, August 18, the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) and Press Centre will be located at Boardrooms 1 & 2, Hilton Kingston Hotel, telephone numbers 926-5430 ext. 4847 and 4843 respectively. TEOC personnel may be...