Hurricane Warning Remains In Effect for Jamaica. Media Houses are Being Asked to Repeat the Precautionary Measures Outlined During Programmes

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 public to take the following precautions:
1. Stay tuned to the news and weather reports and listen out for emergency instructions, if any should be given.2. Remain calm. Do not panic. Your ability to act logically is important during stressful events like a hurricane.3. Wrap important documents such as passports, deeds and titles, birth certificates, ID cards, insurance policies in plastic and take them with you.4. Ensure that adequate water is stored for domestic purposes.5. Move furniture away from windows.6. Check your arrangements for household pets. If you have made arrangements for them to be kept elsewhere, take them there now. If they are staying with you, make sure they have adequate food and water.7. If your roof should come off and if the house or building shows signs of breaking up get in the closet or the bathtub and pull the mattress over your body for protection.8. If you are away from home remain where you are until the storm has passed. Many people lose their lives trying to get from place to place during a hurricane. 9. There will be a brief period of calm weather. This is called the eye of the hurricane. It usually lasts for only a short while – from a few minutes to half and hour or more – and the winds return from the opposite direction. Please do not be fooled into thinking that the storm is over. Remain inside.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, the Salvation Army and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Churches will be established as Registration Centres for affected persons and distribution centres for relief items.
The progress of Hurricane Dean will continue to be closely monitored by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and updates will be released to the public as soon as new information has been gathered.
Contact: Kerry-Ann Morris, Information Officer, kmorris@odpem.org.jm