Power 106 election news, Friday August 17
Written by JamaicaElections.com
Click here to listen to Power 106 FM online
Dean in Dominica
In Dominica where a hurricane warning remains in effect, several houses have been uplifted following strong winds and heavy rainfall now affecting the island.
Dominica Broadcasting Service reporter Brenton Henry says a number of residents are now in shelters as a result of the effects of the storm.
PM holds disaster meeting
The National Disaster Committee is meeting this hour to assess the country’s readiness for Hurricane Dean.
The meeting is being chaired by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller who heads the committee.
It involves all emergency response agencies include the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the Met Service.
The Parish Disaster Committees, the police, the Fire Department, and the Jamaica Defense Force are also part of the committee.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister says all the necessary measures will be put in place should the hurricane strike.
JLP rally off
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has called off several campaign activities over the weekend because of the impending Hurricane.
These include today’s scheduled Bruce Golding led tour of East Rural St. Andrew and public meeting in Morant Bay, St. Thomas.
Tomorrow’s planned tour of sections of the Corporate Area and Sunday’s public meeting in Half Way Tree square have also been put off.
Yesterday, the People’s National Party (PNP) said it too would be putting of its election activities that were scheduled to take place after the weekend.
However, the party’s general secretary, Donald Buchanan said the regional organisations would continue their work at the local level.
ODPEM ready
the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says its parish disaster response programme are being mobilized.
The Director General, Ronald Jackson says people in flood prone areas should begin to plan to evacuate their communities should the need arises:
Mr. Jackson says people in flood prone areas should begin to plan to evacuate their communities should the need arises:
Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency management Ronald Jackson.
St. Lucia hit
At least one person was killed by Hurricane Dean in St. Lucia
In another incident, two persons were being treated at the Soufriere Hospital on the west coast after a tree fell on their house injuring the occupants.
The island is still under a hurricane watch even as the weather system moves further away from the island.
Last night heavy rains and strong winds pelted the country causing widespread damage.
Una May Gordon, the Eastern Caribbean Representative for the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture says damage assessments could begin today.