KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is preparing for the passage of Hurricane Beryl that is expected to pass over or near the island on Wednesday, with the government announcing the closure of all offices, except those that provide essential services.
Beryl, the first named hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, has been blamed for at least four deaths in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that it is moving quickly west-northwestward across the central Caribbean Sea.
The storm is expected to bring life threatening winds and storm surge to Jamaica on Wednesday. It is about 555 miles east south east of the capital Kingston.
“Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 22 mph , and this general motion should continue through Wednesday, followed by a turn more toward the west on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will move quickly across the central Caribbean Sea today and is forecast to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday,” the NHC added.
A government statement urged citizens to used the time to prepare for the hurricane by securing their property and getting relevant items to last up to three days or until the hurricane passes.
Aquaculture sector stakeholders are being strongly urged to protect their fish farms from the major threat of flooding, in light of the approach of Hurricane Beryl.
“One of the main threats to aquaculture farmers is flooding, because when there is a lot of rain, water will accumulate. One of the first things you need to do is to ensure that all the drains that take water from the ponds are clean and ensure that there is no blockage to the outlet pipe for the pond,” said the Regional Aquaculture Extension Officer with the National Fisheries Authority(NFA), Clive Williams.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining said it is taking proactive measures to support farmers, fishers, and mining stakeholders and that it has fully mobilised a hurricane response team dedicated to preparing for and mitigating the impacts of the impending storm.
The National Water Commission (NWC) announced that it would be adjusting regulated water schedules to facilitate storage in preparation for the passage of the hurricane..
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, confirmed the changes to the water supply schedules “to make sure that Jamaicans all have a chance to fill their tanks and [(other) storage (containers) in the (event) that the storm does come and does affect us, particularly negatively.
“So citizens are to look out for those notifications from the NWC by mid-afternoon,” said Samuda, noting that “over the next 36 hours, we will be ensuring that every community is indeed served, so that they are able to fill and prepare properly for any water disruptions”.
Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Daryl Vaz, said he has been given assurances by the telecommunications companies, Flow and Digicel, that their emergency plans are in order.
“I’m also in touch with Starlink that could give us some coverage as well,” he said, adding also that the authorities are working with the airlines “and, of course, we’ll open until it is no longer safe to do so.”
In relation to ground transportation, he said the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has a protocol in place which will facilitate the entity working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) regarding transportation to shelters.
Vaz said that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has provided the government with its emergency plan at the end of May and that the state-owned refinery, Petrojam Limited, has two weeks energy supply in stock.
“So, we are in good stead and have arrangements for backup, once we know what the true situation is. From that perspective, I just want to reassure the country that these state and public agencies and private entities are ready to work with the Government in relation to the response,” Vaz said, adding “we hope and pray that we will not need it, but we always have to be prepared”.
The Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) said that the safety of its employees and stakeholders is paramount and therefore “our Western Zone Office in Jamaica, which is now under hurricane warning, will close today.
“We will advise of our re-opening in accordance with the guidance provided by the Government of Jamaica,” the CXC said, adding “our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path through the Caribbean to date, and to those who are still under threat from the hurricane”.
