PM Holness urges national preparedness as 2025 Hurricane Season begins

As the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins today, Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness is urging all Jamaicans to take both personal and collective responsibility for disaster preparedness.

Reflecting on the destructive impact of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which battered several parishes, including Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, Holness emphasized that early planning and vigilance are essential.

“Last year’s weather events were a clear reminder of our vulnerability as a small island developing state,” the Prime Minister stated. “Hurricane Beryl significantly impacted several communities, disrupted livelihoods, and tested our national response. We must take the lessons from that experience and act with greater urgency this year.”

Hurricane Beryl, which struck in mid-August 2024, brought torrential rain, flash flooding, and winds that downed power lines, damaged homes, and devastated crops. Emergency responders faced immense challenges in reaching cut-off communities, and the storm exposed gaps in household-level readiness and infrastructure resilience.

In response, the Government has made ongoing investments in disaster preparedness and response. These include national drain-cleaning and infrastructure works, strengthening emergency shelters and logistics, providing recovery grants and materials to families and farmers, and maintaining close coordination with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.

“The Government is doing its part, but readiness must start at the household level,” Holness said. “Every Jamaican must take steps now to prepare their homes, their farms, and their communities. Preparation saves lives. It protects property. It makes all the difference.”

The Prime Minister also made a special appeal to the agricultural and coastal sectors—particularly farmers and fisherfolk—who he described as among the most vulnerable.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk are among the most vulnerable, and we urge you to secure equipment, livestock, vessels and store supplies in a safe and waterproof manner. Stay in touch with RADA and ODPEM for updated guidance,” he said.

As this year’s hurricane season begins, Holness called for unity, awareness, and proactive engagement.

“We cannot control the storms, but we can control our response,” he concluded. “Let us remain vigilant, stay informed, and work together to protect what we’ve built and the people we love.”

The public is advised to closely monitor official updates from ODPEM and the Meteorological Service and to avoid misinformation, particularly as forecasters have predicted another potentially active season.