Utility, telecoms providers activate emergency plans ahead of Hurricane Beryl

 

Jamaica's two telecommunications providers along with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) have activated their emergency plans ahead of Hurricane Beryl.

 

This was disclosed by Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday. 

 

"Both Flow and Digicel, have assured me that their emergency plans are in place, and I'm also in touch with Starlink, that could give us some coverage as well. And we'll hear more from them today in terms of that," he reported. 

 

As it relates to airports, Mr. Vaz said they will remain open until it is no longer safe to do so. 

 

Meanwhile, the minister said light and power company JPS had already submitted its emergency plan from the end of May. 

 

A protocol is also in place for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to work closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in relation to transporting persons to shelters. 

 

Additionally, the Energy Minister said Petrojam is in "good stead" with two weeks' supply of fuel, and there are arrangements for backup. 

 

NWA   

 

At the same time, the National Works Agency said measures have been taken to offset any potential fallout from major ongoing road and construction works. 

 

"Our construction sites have also been phased to reduce the impact of the hurricane, and in particular, the damage caused by water. The runoff on the construction site is usually exacerbated by open areas on the construction site. On the South Coast Highway Improvement Project, with areas such as Harbour View to Yallahs Bridge, Stellar Road, Shooters Hill, Rest Haven, Open Sea Close, Morales Drive, Pleasant Drive, and Camrose Drive - these are areas which are particularly vulnerable and we have taken special steps to secure the site in these locations," said NWA's Chief Executive Officer E.G. Hunter.

 

Mr. Hunter also addressed matters concerning drain cleaning activities. 

 

"Incidences of flooding should not be necessarily confused with lack of drain cleaning, because it is the capacity of the drain that ultimately determines whether or not flooding occurs. Nonetheless, we started our drain cleaning activity in May. We've also added a couple of other areas based on our analysis," he said, citing areas such as Wickie Wackie and the two bridges on the Sandy Gully in the vicinity of Washington Boulevard and on Spanish Town Road. 

 

"We've also tackled the South and the North Gully in St. James, Danvers Pen in St. Thomas. Lowlying areas in Kingston, Portmore, Seaview Gardens, those areas are being given special attention. The drain along Marcus Garvey Drive, we have taken the precaution to do some cleaning in that area," he added. 

 

Despite the drain cleaning, he warned that the intensity of the rains that are anticipated will overwhelm the existing capacity of the drains in those areas, so some flooding is expected. 

 

The NWA will also activate an emergency operations centre as a satellite of the national emergency operations centre.

 

The NWA centre will receive flooding and road blocks reports while response teams from the agency will be mobilised. 

 

 

NWA Communications Manager Stephen Shaw said disaster preparedness efforts have been ramped up in St. Thomas.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, Mr. Shaw said additional attention is being given to flood-prone areas in the parish, adding that critical work is underway. 

 

"In the Danvers Pen community, where we have had challenges with the river breaching the enbankment causing some problems, we have actually started the process to recreate the enbankment in that space to try and mitigate the impact of the floodwater that may come in that space."

 

As work continues along the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, between St. Thomas and Portland, Mr. Shaw said the contractor, China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been asked to "increase their activities around the installation of drains where it is possible".

 

The NWA will also deploy a response team in the parish to respond to any issue that may arise resulting from the ongoing works in this space, with particular attention to be paid to areas between Harbour View and Amity Hall. 

 

St. Thomas has experienced severe flooding following recent weather events.

 

 

The St. Thomas Municipal Corporation is reporting that almost all critical drains in the parish that fall under its control have been cleaned.

 

Roads and Works Superintendent in the Municipal Corporation, Odel Felix, said the drain that runs parallel to the Bath Health Center is to be cleaned.

 

He said of concern is the Bamboo River drain and the Port Morant Square which are NWA drains.

 

Mr. Felix added that even when the Bamboo River drain is cleaned, the volume of water can pose a serious challenge.

 

In the meantime, people and equipment are being mobilised in strategic areas, including Cedar Valley.

 

Mr. Felix said the Emergency Operations Centre will open at the Municipal Corporation in Morant Bay on Tuesday.

 

He added that all Emergency Shelters in the parish are ready.