Jamaica under Hurricane Watch as Beryl approaches

 

The Meteorological Service has issued a Hurricane Watch for Jamaica.

 

This means conditions associated with a hurricane are possible within 48 hours.

 

The Met Service says Hurricane Beryl is in the eastern Caribbean and Jamaica is at threat of impact on Wednesday. 

 

"At 10 o'clock this morning, the government of Jamaica has taken the position to issue a Hurricane Watch for the island....The hurricane watch will be in effect from 10 o'clock and it will be made public by the National Hurricane Center of the United States," said Principal Director of the Met Service Evan Thompson. 

 

Beryl is moving towards the west-northwest near 31 kilometres per hour.

 

A continued quick westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next few days.

 

On the forecast track, the centre of Beryl is projected to continue past the Windward Islands and across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea later today (Monday) through Wednesday, when the system nears Jamaica.

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is to host a press conference at 1 o'clock with all Emergency Agencies on the preparations for Hurricane Beryl. 

 

 

Government agencies have ramped up preparedness activities in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl.

 

Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Richard Thompson, said the agency has been engaged in intensive planning meetings since last Thursday to ensure the country is prepared.

 

The meetings have involved the National Response Team, Parish Disaster committees and emergency services.

 

Mr. Thompson said shelters are ready to accommodate evacuees. 

 

"We start very early and we do all the shelter assessment across the island. Currently we have approximately 840 shelters across all parishes. And for the meetings that we have been having, what the parishes have been doing is to put all the shelter managers on standby, provide them with a necessary supplies and put everyone on standby in preparedness mode for what might happen Wednesday-Thursday," he noted.  So we always say the person will be prepared.  

 

Mr. Thompson has urged Jamaicans to be on alert and prepare for the storm. 

 

"Put in the necessary action...to ensure that you and your families and your neighbours [are safe]. We do have persons that are elderly, persons that are in single family households, persons with disabilities and we have to look out for them as well," he suggested.