Flood watch, fire alert upgrade and creative institute headline Jamaica public affairs update

Jamaica’s Meteorological Service has placed low-lying and flood-prone sections of Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew under a flash flood watch until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. Senior meteorologist Rowan Brown said a tropical wave west of the island and a trough across Jamaica were producing cloudiness, showers and thunderstorms expected to continue into the week.

Brown urged residents in vulnerable communities to monitor rising water and avoid walking or driving through flooded areas. He said six inches of moving water can knock a person down, while one foot can move a sedan, and warned motorists to turn back and use other routes where roads are covered.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is preparing to open an emergency communication centre at the Waterford Fire Station in Portmore, supported by an automated station alert system. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said emergency details should reach the relevant fire station within 64 seconds of a call, helping the brigade move towards a two-minute-and-four-second response target. Twenty-four firefighters have been trained as emergency telecommunications operators, with further centres planned for Kingston, St. Catherine and later the wider island.

McKenzie also announced $200 million to expand infirmary capacity and ease pressure on public hospitals. The programme includes $54 million to repair Hurricane Melissa damage at infirmaries in St. Elizabeth, Hanover and Westmoreland, new infirmaries in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Trelawny, and a $70 million wing at the Spanish Town Infirmary. Government has also set aside $160 million for additional indigent housing units.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange said the Institute for Cultural Practitioners, Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Creatives remains on schedule for a September opening, in partnership with the Caribbean Maritime University and other institutions. At Porus High School in Manchester, Jimalco has outfitted woodwork and electrical labs, allowing students to pursue practical certifications that were previously limited by lack of equipment.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica said more than 15,000 electors were removed from the May 31 voters’ list, while 13,882 new names were added, leaving just over two million registered electors. The programme also highlighted Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ recent engagements, fisheries support measures for 2026-2027, and two traditional Ghanaian mud houses now installed at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann.