The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 annually and is forecasted to be \u2018above normal\u2019 in 2020. The forecasts show 13-19 named storms, with six to ten being hurricanes and three to six being major hurricanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last major hurricane in Jamaica \u2013 Hurricane Sandy \u2013 occurred on October 24, 2012 and cost the Government of Jamaica $9.7 billion in direct and indirect damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Government\u2019s Response:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognising the need for alertness, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)<\/span>, alongside the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB); the municipal corporations and the parish disaster committees is working on strengthening its shelter management protocols, some of which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Spacing Measures: Adherence to spacing specifications in shelters is essential to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Schools and churches will offer more space to meet the 6ft physical distancing requirements for shelter occupants during a hurricane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Screening Measures: Persons who wish to use the facilities will be screened prior to entry. If they have any respiratory illness they will be automatically placed in an isolation area within the shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Additional Personnel Deployed: The Government will dispatch additional persons to enforce the physical distancing and other safety protocols within shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Health Stations: Hand sanitisation stations and thermometers will be set up for the monitoring of occupants in the shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General Shelter Protocols:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are approximately 887 shelters available to the public. Of this number, 204 are commonly used. The number of available shelters are currently under review due to COVID-19. See general guidelines for shelter usage below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Animals are not allowed General Hurricane Precautions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Have non-perishable food items in stock Parish Disaster Coordinators (PDCs):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit the link below for information on your PDCs: For Further Information, contact: Ministry of Health and Wellness<\/strong>
\u2022 Cots, blankets and other comfort items are provided by the shelter
\u2022 Take along some non-perishable food items to bolster what the shelter will provide
\u2022 If you have a young child, take formulas and other necessities
\u2022 Take medications, asthma pumps and other necessities
\u2022 Take any other item that may help you to function within the shelter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Fill all prescriptions before the start of the hurricane
\u2022 If you have a baby or young child, have food, formulas and medicines up to date
\u2022 Pack an emergency bag with food, water and medications, should you need to evacuate your premises and head to a shelter
\u2022 If you have a disability, carry a personal alarm that emits a loud noise to draw attention in case of an emergency. Tag all special needs equipment and include instructions on how to use and\/or move each assistive device during an emergency
\u2022 All pregnant women who are within one month of their delivery date should relocate to the homes of family or friends who are in close proximity to a hospital or delivery centre
\u2022 Have an accessible emergency contact list<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.odpem.org.jm\/parish-disaster-coordinators\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Office of Disaster Preparedness and<\/strong>
Emergency Management (ODPEM)<\/strong>
2-4 Haining Road
Kingston 5
Tel: 876-906-9674\/888-225-5637
Email: odpem@cwjamaica.com
Website: https:\/\/www.odpem.org.jm\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
10-16 Grenada Crescent
Kingston 5
Telephone: 876-633-7433\/8172
Email: pr@moh.gov.jm
Website: https:\/\/www.moh.gov.jm\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3276,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"_angie_page":false},"odpem_news":[],"class_list":["post-3275","odpem_in_the_media","type-odpem_in_the_media","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/odpem_in_the_media\/3275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/odpem_in_the_media"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/odpem_in_the_media"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"odpem_news","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.odpem.gov.jm\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fodpem_news&post=3275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}