PM Urges Jamaicans to be in a State-of-Readiness for Hurricane’s Passage

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging Jamaicans to be in a high state-of-readiness and preparedness for the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

The country was placed under a hurricane watch at 10:00 a.m. on Monday (July 1).

“We have an impending disaster and we have to treat it with the seriousness that it requires. We will have some adverse weather impacts, whether it is a direct hit or a glancing blow… and therefore everyone needs to be now in a mental state of readiness.

“It is easier, in my mind, to stand up for preparedness when you are already up than to try and be prepared when you are knocked down. So, let’s get ourselves in this mindset of preparedness,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

He was addressing a briefing with agencies responsible for disaster preparedness, and members of the Cabinet, at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1).

Prime Minister Holness said the briefing will assist in determining at what point the Disaster Risk Management Act will need to be effected.

“We do have an established framework to treat with emergencies and disasters. So even if something were to happen without notice, there is still a kind of legal framework that we have to abide by, even with limited notice; the framework is the Disaster Risk Management Act,” he informed.

The Act is comprehensive and deals with almost all conceivable forms of disasters that could strike Jamaica.

“We use the Act… quite effectively. It gives effective powers to the Government to control movement and to give other orders for the safety and protection of the citizens,” the Prime Minister further indicated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness assured that resources are available to treat with the impact of the storm.

“Resources are always a challenge. But I think we are in a better state now than before, certainly in terms of fiscal buffers and insurance, in terms of policies and various plans that we have invested in for our preparedness for these kinds of events,” he stated.

The Prime Minister also encouraged Jamaicans to get their information on developments related to Hurricane Beryl from credible sources.

He advised that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will be the official source of information, supported by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Mr. Holness urged persons to remain calm and follow the advice of the relevant agencies regarding their safety during and after the storm.

“We should take precaution. We should take this seriously, but we should not panic,” he maintained.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his remarks, said all the island’s shelters have been placed on standby and shelter managers are in place for the facilities.

Director of the Meteorological Service Branch, Evan Thompson, advised that there will be continued fluctuations in the strength of the extremely dangerous Hurricane Beryl, as it moves closer to Jamaica.

Other entities represented at the meeting were the National Works Agency (NWA), National Water Commission (NWC), Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), and ODPEM.