Go-Jamaica Weather Watch

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management (ODPEM) is advising Jamaicans to take the following steps while the Hurricane Warning remains in effect:

1. Stay tuned to the news and weather reports and listen out for emergency instructions, if any should be given.

2. Remain calm. Do not panic. Your ability to act logically is important during stressful events like a hurricane.

3. Wrap important documents such as passports, deeds and titles, birth certificates, ID cards, insurance policies in plastic and take them with you.

4. Ensure that adequate water is stored for domestic purposes.

5. Move furniture away from windows.

6. Check your arrangements for household pets. If you have made arrangements for them to be kept elsewhere, take them there now. If they are staying with you, make sure they have adequate food and water.

7. If your roof should come off and if the house or building shows signs of breaking up get in the closet or the bathtub and pull the mattress over your body for protection.

8. If you are away from home remain where you are until the storm has passed. Many people lose their lives trying to get from place to place during a hurricane.

9. There will be a brief period of calm weather. This is called the eye of the hurricane. It usually lasts for only a short while – from a few minutes to half and hour or more – and the winds return from the opposite direction. Please do not be fooled into thinking that the storm is over. Remain inside.