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Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has commended Jamaicans for the level of preparedness that was demonstrated before the passage of Hurricane Dean as well as for their participation in clean-up activities after the hurricane. "I would like to commend the Jamaican people because it was evident that not only were the government, the state agencies and the non- governmental organizations...

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has expressed relief that the island was spared the worst effects of Hurricane Dean, which passed south of the island on Sunday (Aug. 19). At a press briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) yesterday morning (Aug. 20), the Prime Minister called on religious institutions to organize a day of thanksgiving....

In response to the tremendous outpouring of concern for Jamaicans at home by those in the Diaspora, Consul General to New York, Dr. Basil Bryan, has called a meeting of the New York Diaspora community for Wednesday (Aug. 22). The meeting will take place in the Consulate's conference room starting at 6:00 pm. Dr. Bryan said that the meeting will...

St. Ann Disaster Coordinator, Alvin Clarke, has said that assessment was being carried out in the parish, to determine the extent of the damage from Hurricane Dean, and provide relief assistance where necessary. "We hope to have this programme wrapped up by tomorrow (Aug. 22) so that we can start making recommendations and carrying out response assistance," he told JIS...

"A hurricane warning means that the island will be affected by hurricane conditions within the next 24hrs." The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising the public that conditions will begin to deteriorate rapidly along the coastline as Hurricane Dean moves closer towards the island. All persons who live in communities close to the sea are advised...

MY FELLOW JAMAICANS:OUR COUNTRY IS FACING THE SERIOUS THREAT OF HURRICANE DEAN -- A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE, WHICH COULD STRENGTHEN FURTHER, MOVING ACROSS JAMAICA BY TOMORROW.THIS IS A TIME OF CHALLENGE FOR OUR NATION, BUT IT IS ALSO A TIME FOR US, AS A PEOPLE, TO CALL ON OUR GREAT FAITH, WISDOM, STRENGTH AND SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY. YESTERDAY, I ACTIVATED...

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...