Guard against misinformation at this time

With the country no longer under a tropical storm watch, Jamaicans are nevertheless still being encouraged to follow the emergency instructions issued by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

ODPEM is charged with the responsibility of working with other government agencies to provide information and advice to the public on emergency matters on a timely basis. The authorities are also advising the public to guard against misinformation and to only follow the emergency instructions from the relevant authority.

Speaking during a special committee meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie highlighted that the only authentic authority that can give instructions is ODPEM.

Activation of Emergency shelters

Turning to the matter of emergency shelters, McKenzie said the public would be advised in due course when these shelters will be activated and their locations. He told the meeting, which was held at the ministry’s office in Kingston, that the Government will be using the public media to convey information to Jamaicans.

In addition, the minister indicated that a partnership with the island’s major telecommunications entities, Flow and Digicel, is being formalised that will allow messages to be sent using their systems. This is Jamaica’s first active weather event since the start of the 2022 hurricane season. On the forecast track, the centre of Ian is forecast to pass southwest of Jamaica on Sunday and pass near or over The Cayman Islands Sunday night and early Monday.