Full damage assessment also underway

Electricity is now being restored to most communities, which were affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Grace over the island on Tuesday (August 17), as Jamaica Public Service (JPS) crews work feverishly to restore power to customers.

Some JPS customers are still without electricity, as a result of weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Grace. JPS is reporting damage to its power delivery system, in particular, sections of the network supplying the most badly affected parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland, St Mary and St Ann.

JPS’ Director of Corporate Communications, Winsome Callum explained that “it is still too early to report on the full extent of the damage, but we have gotten numerous reports of trees coming down on power lines and landslides dislocating poles”.

“Blocked roads, along with intense lightning, wind and rain in some areas make it difficult for our teams to start restoration work,” Callum added.

She said the teams are therefore continuing damage assessment at this time and will start restoration as soon as it is safe to do so. JPS is asking customers to be patient if they lose electricity.

More time need for power to be restored fully

According to Callum, “It will take some time to get the power back on – especially in communities where the infrastructure is badly damaged. Our teams have to take every precaution to ensure that all safety protocols are observed, in order to protect life and property. They must first do damage assessment, then carry out repairs, before turning on the power.”

“We urge our customers to continue to make safety a priority,” Callum stressed.

“While we understand the temptation to go outside to examine the damage done by the Tropical Storm, it can be very dangerous. It is best to stay indoors at this time, and keep far from damaged poles and lines,” she added.

The JPS is encouraging persons to make outage reports using its mobile app or user-friendly website.