标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa continues to unleash severe flooding and storm surges across Jamaica, many residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters. However, one man, Junior from Shooters Hill in St Andrew, is already contemplating a return to his home after spending less than a day at the National Arena in Kingston. Junior, who arrived at the shelter on Monday night, expressed his urgency to return to his five-bedroom house to address pressing responsibilities. ‘I have so many things to attend to, including my animals and property. I live alone, and my brother isn’t there to help,’ he explained. ‘If my brother were there, I’d be okay, but there’s no one to manage things. I need to fix issues before they worsen.’ Junior emphasized that being at home would enable him to make necessary repairs to mitigate further damage from the hurricane. Adding to his distress, he claimed he was falsely accused of opening a gate at the shelter when he was merely attempting to secure it. ‘It’s a time for love now. I want to go home and show love to others. They don’t accept it here,’ he lamented. Despite the ongoing storm, Junior’s determination to protect his property highlights the personal challenges faced by those displaced during natural disasters.

As Hurricane Melissa, now projected to make landfall on Tuesday, approaches Jamaica, the island’s major utility providers have warned that the storm’s intensity could lead to unprecedented damage, potentially requiring extensive rebuilding rather than mere restoration. Speaking at a joint media briefing on Sunday, Hugh Grant, CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), emphasized the severity of the situation. ‘A Category Four hurricane passing through the island could cause unprecedented damage to our facilities. At JPS, we’re likely looking at a rebuild, not just a restoration,’ Grant stated. He added that the company has bolstered preparations by securing additional resources, including bucket trucks, crane trucks, and overseas line workers, to ensure a swift and safe response post-storm. Grant also urged the public to exercise patience during potential service disruptions, acknowledging the inconvenience but stressing the importance of safety. Meanwhile, telecom providers Flow and Digicel have also ramped up their readiness. Stephen Price, Flow’s vice-president and general manager, highlighted the vulnerability of their infrastructure to the storm’s intensity, noting that some areas may require rebuilding. Digicel’s CEO, Stephen Murad, appealed to Jamaicans to protect critical infrastructure, citing past incidents of theft and vandalism that hampered recovery efforts. The National Water Commission (NWC) and the National Works Agency (NWA) have also mobilized to maintain essential services and clear roads, though disruptions are inevitable. With predictions of extreme flooding and landslides, Jamaica’s utility providers and emergency services are on high alert, preparing for the worst while urging public cooperation and patience.

Jamaica is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, approaches the Caribbean island with maximum winds of 175 miles per hour. Forecasters warn it could be the most devastating hurricane in Jamaica’s recorded history, surpassing the destruction caused by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which claimed over 40 lives locally and hundreds more across the region. Despite urgent evacuation orders from top officials, many residents remain defiant, choosing to stay in their homes rather than seek refuge in government shelters.

Jamal Peters, a hotel manager in Port Royal, highlighted the resilience of Jamaicans, stating that many prefer to weather the storm at home rather than abandon their properties. Preparations at his 63-room waterfront hotel included relocating guests to higher floors, securing the premises, and trimming trees. Similarly, Roy Brown, a local plumber, expressed skepticism about evacuation, citing distrust in government-run shelters and a fatalistic outlook on life.

Meanwhile, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has been actively sharing emergency preparedness tips with his 4.6 million followers on X, encouraging Jamaicans to take the threat seriously. Across the island, residents are fortifying their homes, trimming trees, and securing vehicles, while zoos are taking measures to protect their animals. Joey Brown of Hope Zoo posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, urging everyone to stay safe as the storm approaches.

Despite the mixed reactions, the island is bracing for torrential rains and deadly flooding. Ishack Wilmot, a surf camp manager in Kingston, shared that his family is accustomed to enduring storms and has completed essential preparations, including stockpiling food and water. However, he emphasized the importance of being with loved ones during such critical times. As the storm’s impact intensifies, Jamaicans remain divided between cautious preparation and steadfast defiance.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has revealed that only 76 out of Jamaica’s 881 national hurricane shelters are currently active, with 972 individuals registered across these facilities. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, McKenzie highlighted regional disparities in shelter usage, noting that four parishes have no occupants, while Clarendon leads with 311 individuals, followed by St Thomas (227) and Kingston and St Andrew (179).

The minister expressed particular concern for parishes such as St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St James, where shelter numbers remain alarmingly low. “St Elizabeth has 27, St James has 24, and Westmoreland has 32. These numbers are very low, and I expect them to increase by this afternoon as the storm approaches,” McKenzie stated. Projections suggest that approximately 50,000 individuals may need relocation to safe grounds or shelters.

McKenzie also addressed misinformation circulating about shelters, vehemently denying claims that fees are being charged for their use. “This is nonsense. These are attempts by malicious individuals to create confusion during a critical time. The only requirement for shelter access is to go to the designated centers. Families stay together, and basic necessities like medication, water, and crackers are advised for the initial hours,” he clarified.

The minister acknowledged ongoing challenges in persuading homeless individuals to seek shelter, stating, “I will personally engage with the homeless population to encourage them to move to safety.” He also reminded the public of a mandatory order in effect, warning that non-compliance could result in fines or arrests. “The director of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has the authority to enforce this order. We hope it doesn’t come to that,” McKenzie concluded.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The intensifying impact of Hurricane Melissa has led to significant disruptions in Jamaica’s banking sector, with numerous automated banking machines (ABMs) temporarily decommissioned and all bank branches closed on Monday. The Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA), representing the nation’s financial institutions, announced that ABMs in certain areas were taken offline due to safety concerns. Additionally, all physical branches of member banks and building societies will remain shut until conditions are deemed safe. With limited access to cash and in-person services, the public is encouraged to utilize online and mobile banking platforms. The JBA also cautioned that customer call centers may experience disruptions, resulting in delayed response times. The association assured that its members are closely monitoring the situation and will restore full services as soon as it is safe to do so. Residents are urged to adhere to official advisories from Jamaica’s disaster and meteorological offices.

In the resort town of Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica, St Anthony’s Kitchen, a community initiative dedicated to providing meals for those in need, has reported a significant increase in the number of residents seeking warm meals as Hurricane Melissa approaches. The kitchen, operated by the Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, serves breakfast to hungry children heading to school and lunch to adults five days a week. Tim Lamb, the coordinator of the feeding program, noted that while the kitchen typically serves around 158 meals daily, the past week saw a surge to nearly 200 meals. ‘This past week, it has been really high all week. People were, I think, concerned about the storm and wanted to get some food,’ Lamb explained. The initiative has garnered support from local organizations and individuals, including the Rotary Club of Negril, Grace Kennedy, and hotelier Daniel Grizzle. Lamb emphasized that the kitchen has no eligibility requirements other than hunger, welcoming all who seek assistance. As the community braces for the hurricane, St Anthony’s Kitchen continues to play a vital role in ensuring food security for vulnerable residents.