NEWS RELEASE # 7 HURRICANE ERNESTO

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reminding persons that the island is still under a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch and that as Hurricane Ernesto continues to move over the waters east of the island, all parishes could be affected and in particular the parishes of St. Thomas, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny and St. James based on its current track.
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Limited has also advised that they will be suspending their regular scheduled service between the hours of 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
The Ministry of Health has also activated their National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the Bustamante Hospital for Children today and will remain operational throughout the night to guide preparations of all hospitals. Pregnant women who are near to term are being advised to go to the nearest hospital to ensure their safety.
Persons are reminded to continue to monitor the situation and to listen to further advisories from the ODPEM and the Meteorological Service.
If your home is threatened by flooding, evacuate early before evacuation routes are cut off. Turn off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switch. If this is not possible, turn off all electrical appliances before evacuating.
Contact: Sophia MitchellInformation OfficerODPEMTel: 928-5111-4