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Relatives of persons living in St Elizabeth can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has said that the impact of Hurricane Dean on several communities that have been the subject of concern, was not as extensive as initially anticipated. Director of Information and Training at the ODPEM, Kretchet Douglas-Greaves, attempting to...

HURRICANE DEAN HIT JAMAICA ON SUNDAY WITH A LEVEL OF DEVASTATION IN SECTIONS OF THE ISLAND WHICH WAS EVEN GREATER THAN WHAT WE EXPERIENCED WITH HURRICANE IVAN. THANKFULLY WE DID NOT SUSTAIN A DIRECT HIT AND GOD SPARED US YET AGAIN. WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO GIVE THANKS TO HIM FOR HIS LOVING-KINDNESS AND KEEPING CARE. I AM THEREFORE ASKING...

Some 350 officers from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security along with members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have commenced assessment of damage sustained by Jamaicans following the passage of Hurricane Dean. In an interview with JIS News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alvin McIntosh, informed that the team will be working full time in order to have...

As the clean-up work gets underway in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) said that efforts will be concentrated on towns and main thoroughfares before moving on to the residential areas. Acting Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Powell, speaking at a press conference held at NSWMA's headquarters on Half-Way-Tree Road yesterday (Aug. 22), said that...

Scrap metal hunting thieves and the sharing of Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) utility poles by other service providers have added to the damage already sustained to the utility company's transmission network in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean. Speaking with JIS News yesterday, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JPS, Damian Obligio said that "lines buried for landing purposes...

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Damian Obligio, has said that islandwide assessment of the damage sustained by its power generation and distribution infrastructure is complete. At the same time, however, he stressed "our company prioritizes safety over fast restoration of service". Speaking in a wide-ranging, exclusive JIS interview, Mr. Obligio said that, "our...

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Damian Obligio, has said that customers will not be asked to pay for repairs related to Hurricane Dean. Speaking in an exclusive JIS interview yesterday (Aug. 22), Mr. Obligio said, "there is now a self-insurance fund built up overtime that should (have) enough money to cover this event." He...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo.) that it is committed to restoring electricity to most of its customers by the end of the week. Phased restoration has commenced, starting with essential services such as hospitals, airports etc. Areas likely to receive power supply today, August 21 are:...

The following are current reports from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) of the impact of Hurricane Dean on Jamaica: Casualties To date the ODPEM has confirmed that two persons died as a result of Hurricane Dean: One person died in Clarendon as a result of injuries sustained from a collapsed roof. A 14-year-old girl from Whitehorses,...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has said that its operations are now in full relief mode, with the emergency distribution of relief supplies such as bedding and water, among other critical items. Director of Information and Training at ODPEM, Kretchet Douglas-Greaves, told JIS News that the relief effort was being conducted across the island through the...

Hundreds of persons who sought shelter from Hurricane Dean in Western Jamaica on August 19, have since returned home. Some 2,270 residents from low-lying flood prone areas in western Jamaica sought refuge in 100 shelters in Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James as a result of the hurricane, which battered the island, particularly the south coast. The category Four storm spared...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is processing the list of relief supplies pledged by overseas donors, so that it can better match and meet the needs that emerge from damage assessments now underway. Director of Information and Training at ODPEM, Kretchet Douglas-Greaves, told JIS News today (Aug. 21) that the agency has received "numerous pledges for...