标签： Jamaica

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.

The early onslaught of Hurricane Melissa has significantly impacted Portland, Jamaica, prompting the activation of 52 out of 74 designated shelters across the parish. As of late Monday evening, these shelters housed 295 individuals, including 107 adult females, 99 adult males, 48 female children, and 41 male children. The storm’s effects have been widespread, with landslides blocking key roads such as Cascade and Birnamwood in the Buff Bay Valley and Bellevue in the Rio Grande Valley. Although these roads were later cleared, other disruptions, such as a fallen tree and utility pole on Sommers Lane in Port Antonio, further complicated travel. High waves and strong winds in the Manchioneal area forced residents to seek refuge at the Manchioneal Primary School. Additionally, several areas, including Islington, Boston, Fairy Hill, and parts of Norwich Heights, remain without electricity. In response to the crisis, the Bring Back The Love Buff Bay Valley Foundation has stepped in to provide care packages to shelters in Charles Town, Tranquillity, Birnamwood, Cascade, Avocat, and the Woodstock Housing Scheme. Cassandra Bennett, the foundation’s president, emphasized the importance of their efforts, noting that government aid through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security often arrives late. The foundation also assists individuals unable to reach shelters, including shut-ins and those with visual impairments. As of now, the weather in Portland remains overcast with intermittent drizzles and low winds.

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, Councillor Garth Wilkinson of the People’s National Party (Falmouth Division) has raised significant concerns about the safety of the emergency shelter located at Salt Marsh Primary School in Trelawny. The shelter, one of 42 designated across the parish, is situated near a gully that is highly susceptible to flooding during heavy rainfall, posing a potential risk to those seeking refuge there. Wilkinson emphasized the challenges of mitigating flood risks at the location, stating, ‘In case of any flooding, you would have to evacuate the residents who seek shelter at the facility. I have some issues with it.’ He further expressed uncertainty about how to address potential disasters at the site. During an emergency disaster meeting on Wednesday, Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager, urged local councillors to utilize their August allocations from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation to clean drains across the parish. Wilkinson reported that drain-clearing efforts in Falmouth began immediately after the meeting and continued until late Sunday afternoon. He highlighted the urgency of these measures, noting that Falmouth, Zion, and other areas are particularly flood-prone, with Falmouth being below sea level. ‘We have to do all that we can to mitigate against flooding,’ Wilkinson stressed, underscoring the critical need for preparedness as the hurricane looms.