Minister of Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda believes that the impending direct hit from the now category five Hurricane Melissa will “test our systems” in Jamaica and prove whether or not they are efficient

“We are at a critical juncture… The proof of the pudding is going to be in the eating in terms of how we execute the plans that we have,” Samuda said during the Government’s press conference held on Sunday (October 26) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

“We are in a better place than last year [following the passage of Hurricane Beryl]. Certainly, to respond to water distribution,” he said.

As the de facto water minister responsible for water, he said the National Water Commission (NWC) has engaged all of its emergency protocols in preparation for the hurricane, including a performance review and situation analysis of its ability to restore service.

They have also formed a co-working group alongside the other major utility monopoly, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), which makes the light and power company clear on all pumps needed critical for power to supply water, such as hospitals, places of safety, infirmaries, places of detention, water truck loaders, etc so that they can work to restore current and supply first, if those places lose water.

Samuda said a plan is in place to get to 80 per cent of customers with sporadic supply of water after 72 hours of an all-clear from government.

“Because generators do have to cool, break, they do have to take their time for service and for refuel, etc, so it won’t be 72 hours and everything back up and running, but 72 hours that there will be supply that allow people to catch water, to store, to back fill their storage and to be able to manage,” he said.

Four of the major pumping stations and treatment plants also have their own resilience, in terms of energy supply, with major generators installed. These areas include Logwood, which supplies all of western Hanover and Westmoreland; the Mona and Hermitage treatment plants in the Corporate Area; and other facilities in the parish of St Catherine.

With regards to the trucking of water, he said truckers have already been prepositioned to go to loading bays immediately after Hurricane Melissa passes, and they will also go to shut-ins.

He encouraged Jamaicans not to waste the next set of hours they have left.

“Stay safe and stay smart, and listen to the official sources of information,” Samuda said.

“It is still not time for panic. It is time to complete your preparations. It is time for some prayer, and it is time for us to plan, and time for us to engage our programmes,” he said.

He commended the leadership and staff at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, on behalf of the country, for working consistently in monitoring the hurricane and offering the nation updates over the last 10 days.

“We’re more resilient than last year, but this is a bigger storm than last year, and this is a potential direct hit. Beryl was not a direct hit, so we’re more resilient. Let’s hope that additional resilience is sufficient for what is our worst storm,” he said.