Prime Minister Calls for National Solidarity Ahead of Tropical Storm’s Intensification

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging national solidarity as Jamaica prepares for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is forecast to strengthen into a Category Four hurricane.

Addressing a press conference at Jamaica House on Saturday (October 25), Dr. Holness indicated that he was scheduled to meet with Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mark Golding, to provide a comprehensive briefing on the Government’s hurricane preparedness measures and post-impact recovery plans, while also listening to the Opposition’s concerns and recommendations.

“At this time, there must be a unified position with all the civic stakeholders and all our political stakeholders; and so I have been in communication with the Leader of the Opposition. I’m certain that they will have suggestions which we will listen to and take on board,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Holness urged Jamaicans to look out for one another and offer assistance wherever possible.

“Communities are an important response tool to the hurricane. I remember during [Hurricane] Gilbert, the community in which I lived… everyone came together and that helped to keep the community safe. It helped to deal with emergencies, and just sitting down talking, dealing with the challenges that would have occurred.

“In today’s parlance, we say it helps with the mental health. So community is important, looking in on your neighbour. Reach out to your neighbour, find out what is happening, ask how you can help or ask for help,” he said.

Prime Minister Holness noted that while the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been tasked with pre-positioning emergency supplies, provisions will also be made available to Councillors and Members of Parliament to support vulnerable constituents to the best of their ability.

He expressed gratitude for the work being carried out by philanthropic organisations across communities, and affirmed the Government’s intention to “reach out and cooperate with them and assist them in being able to get supplies [for distribution].”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness indicated that main drains and gullies are currently being cleared as part of national preparations for the approaching storm.

“If you didn’t see the drain running behind your yard being clean, don’t believe that no work is happening. Work is happening, but it may not be in your locality,” he said.

Dr. Holness also noted that the National Works Agency (NWA) will provide a report detailing the scope of preparatory works undertaken ahead of the storm.

“From an administrative point of view, all our entities have been tasked and mobilised; I believe all the officers understand what the mission is. From all indications, it is going to be a direct hit and all of Jamaica will be impacted. I urge everyone to be wise about this… and be practical. Prepare… and continue to pray,” he said.

Dr. Holness said the Government has put measures in place to respond after the storm’s impact.

“The preparations can have some mitigating effects on the impact, but the real work starts, the hour after the impact. What we have done, in terms of national preparedness, is to put everything in place to be able to respond the hour after the impact, and that is how quickly we intend to recover from this hurricane,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister encouraged parents to engage in honest conversations with their children about what to expect during the passage of a hurricane or tropical storm.

He underscored the importance of remaining safely sheltered throughout the duration of the weather system.

“We don’t want to have any deaths during the hurricane, and an important part of that is to keep your household inside and safe,” Dr. Holness said.

He further urged Jamaicans to complete their hurricane preparations and to use information—particularly on social media—responsibly during the weather event.