分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In anticipation of Hurricane Melissa, Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby has announced a significant escalation in efforts to relocate homeless individuals and residents from flood-prone areas to designated shelters. The municipality has already moved 17 homeless people to shelters across Kingston and St. Andrew, with 15 individuals taken to the Church Street shelter and three women relocated to the Hanover Street facility. These individuals are being provided with essential services, including bathing facilities, clothing, and meals.

As Hurricane Melissa looms over Jamaica, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has issued a stern warning to construction operators across the nation. The hurricane, expected to intensify with wind speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour (209 kilometers per hour), poses a significant threat to the island, with projections indicating prolonged rainfall lasting at least two days. During a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday, McKenzie emphasized the urgent need to secure loose equipment and materials on construction sites to mitigate potential hazards. His appeal comes after a morning inspection revealed numerous sites in the Corporate Area where materials such as sand, gravel, steel, and even cranes were left unsecured. McKenzie urged operators nationwide to take immediate action to remove or secure these items, warning that unsecured materials could block drains, exacerbate flooding, and cause severe damage to property and lives. Additionally, he called for the temporary removal of advertising billboards, which could become dangerous projectiles in the hurricane’s strong winds. McKenzie also warned that abandoned vehicles on roadsides would be removed and disposed of to prevent them from becoming hazards. ‘We cannot afford to create missiles that will harm people during this period,’ he stated, appealing for cooperation from all stakeholders. The government’s proactive measures aim to minimize the hurricane’s impact and safeguard the population as Jamaica braces for the storm’s arrival.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a Category 4 storm, local authorities in the Alligator Pond division are urging residents to evacuate to safer grounds. Councillor Omar Robinson, who oversees the area, reported that the coastal village is already experiencing rising sea levels, signaling the imminent threat of the hurricane. ‘The waves are climbing higher as I speak,’ Robinson stated during a telephone interview on Sunday. He confirmed that the Parish Disaster Manager, Keval Lewis, and local police have issued an evacuation order for the region. Robinson emphasized the urgency, noting that Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall near Alligator Pond, bringing potentially devastating impacts. The New Forest High School has been designated as a shelter, though it is nearing capacity. Robinson and his team are working to clear nearby swamps to mitigate flooding risks. He has implored residents and fisherfolk to move to higher ground, stressing the importance of safety. Many in the community are taking the storm seriously, with fisherfolk securing their boats and residents reinforcing their homes. One fisherman, in his 30s, shared that this is the first time he has prepared so thoroughly for a hurricane, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Hurricane Melissa has already claimed three lives in Haiti, where heavy rains and landslides have caused widespread destruction. As the storm continues its slow but deadly path through the Caribbean, Jamaica remains on high alert, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.

In response to the escalating threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has announced the suspension of all road operations effective midday Sunday. This decision was reached after thorough consultations with relevant authorities and is grounded in critical safety and operational concerns.

PORTLAND, Jamaica—Authorities have issued a public advisory following a landslide in the Birnamwood district of Portland, which has left a section of the area completely inaccessible. The incident, involving falling boulders and debris from the hills, has prompted the police to urge motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid the hazardous zone. While no injuries or casualties have been reported, the situation has raised concerns about safety and mobility in the affected region. The police have assured the public that further updates will be provided as the situation evolves. Residents and travelers are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about the latest developments.

Jamaica’s Meteorological Service (Met Service) has maintained a state of heightened vigilance as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 4 storm, continues to impact the island with widespread rainfall. The hurricane, currently positioned south of Kingston, is moving westward, with its outer bands already causing intermittent showers in eastern parishes. Evan Thompson, Principal Director of the Met Service, confirmed during a press conference at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) that the storm has advanced past Morant Point and is now near Kingston’s longitude. Radar imagery reveals a well-defined eye and dense cloud cover, with lightning activity concentrated on the eastern side of the hurricane. Authorities predict that rainfall will intensify and spread across the island, raising concerns about potential flooding. The public is urged to stay updated through official bulletins and prepare for worsening conditions. Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie reported that all shelters are operational, though only 31 out of 881 are currently occupied. Despite the Jamaica Transit Company (JUTC) providing transportation, many residents are reluctant to evacuate. McKenzie also emphasized the need to secure cranes in the Corporate Area to prevent accidents and warned of accountability for negligence. Regarding the homeless population, he stated that the government has made efforts to relocate vulnerable individuals to shelters using public transport, with plans to continue as long as conditions permit.

In a decisive move to safeguard its citizens, the Jamaican government has mandated the evacuation of seven flood-prone communities as Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, bears down on the island. The affected areas include Port Royal in Kingston; Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon; Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine; and Taylor Land, New Haven, and Riverton City in St Andrew. This directive, issued in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), is effective immediately. Jamaica is currently under a hurricane warning, with Melissa anticipated to make landfall as a major hurricane late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The storm is predicted to unleash life-threatening storm surges, powerful winds, and torrential rains. This evacuation order stems from the Disaster Risk Management (Declaration of Threatened Area) (Tropical Storm Melissa) Order enacted on October 24, 2025, which designated the entire island as a threatened area. The government has clarified that the evacuation mandate will remain in effect as long as the Declaration of Threatened Area Order is active.

A serious traffic accident occurred on New Green Road in Mandeville, Jamaica, early Sunday morning, involving two Toyota Wish vehicles, one of which was a taxi. The incident prompted an emergency response from the Mandeville Fire Station, which received a distress call at 7:31 am. According to a senior official from the Jamaica Fire Brigade, one individual was trapped inside one of the vehicles and required specialized assistance to be extricated. Firefighters successfully rescued the person, who was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, and authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution on the roads.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the escalating threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has initiated its emergency protocols and convened its disaster management and mitigation committee. Portfolio Minister Floyd Green announced these measures during a press briefing held on Saturday at Jamaica House, emphasizing the urgency of preparedness as the hurricane has intensified to a Category 4 storm.