Mobay mayor declares readiness for 2025 hurricane season
Published:Monday | June 16, 2025 | 12:06 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
With the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season now on in earnest, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon says the city’s disaster readiness plans are in place with all relevant agencies in full preparation mode.
Addressing last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), Vernon said that in addition to the preparation of the parish’s infirmary and emergency shelters, $30.6 million has been allocated for drain-cleaning across St James.
“Our critical drains have been inspected, and a total of $30.6 million has been allocated from the parochial revenue fund to all 17 divisions, to carry out comprehensive drain-cleaning works. We have also noted that there are some critical drains that need an additional $30 million, and we have requested it from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to facilitate the further cleaning of these drains,” said Vernon.
“Fifty-nine shelters have been recommended based on inspection, and quarantine areas have been demarcated in each shelter,” continued Vernon. “We will continue the training for shelter managers in June and ensure that they are properly equipped with the protective gear, and this will be done by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. From our Poor Relief Department, the infirmary is prepared and our generator is functioning, and food supplies are on standby to address emergency needs.”
Vernon further noted that preparations have been made for St James’ emergency operations centre (EOC), including provisions for communication in the event of an outage at Jamaica’s telecommunications providers.
“We have rostered all the staff members for the EOC. We also have radios available for the EOC and we are in a position to communicate, provided that the major service providers go out,” said Vernon.
“The EOC is equipped, and alternative sites have been established just in case we cannot use this area, so we have our alternatives so that we can relocate in case we have to. Generally, Montego Bay is ready for the hurricane season, and we are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.”
Additionally, organisations to include the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Montego Bay Metro Company Limited are prepared to render assistance in the event of a storm.
One week before Vernon’s announcement, the St James Health Department said it was in an advanced state of readiness if a storm should strike Jamaica. The health department’s primary concern is the cleaning of drains to reduce mosquito breeding and improve the flow of water, especially in light of Montego Bay’s history of flooding, due to blocked drains during heavy rains.
Forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, with three to five of those being major hurricanes.