Holness urges Jamaicans to prepare now for 2026 hurricane season

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is calling on Jamaicans to get their hurricane preparations under way immediately, with the Atlantic season set to begin within days.

Holness said residents should not wait until a system is bearing down on Jamaica before cutting back trees, cleaning drains or making basic checks around their homes. He pointed to the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa as a reminder of how costly delay and complacency can be.

The prime minister made the appeal on Monday, Labour Day, while speaking at the Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution in Brompton, St Elizabeth.

"This Labour Day bears a specific importance because it is the Labour Day after Hurricane Melissa, but, in a few more days, it will also be the hurricane season," Holness said. He noted that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

That stretch is when tropical storms and hurricanes are most prone to developing over the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, with Jamaica and neighbouring territories at risk.

Holness said Labour Day 2026 should be treated as a countrywide push for readiness, especially as some communities remain under strain from Melissa’s impact. The storm left flooding, damaged houses, blocked roads and displaced families in its wake.

Melissa, among the most damaging hurricanes to affect Jamaica, came ashore on October 28 last year and battered communities across the island. It damaged public infrastructure, toppled trees, caused landslides and left many people trying to rebuild. Families had to move into shelters, while farmers and small business operators counted major losses after days of heavy rain and strong winds.

Against that background, Holness said the usual practice of putting off preparation until danger is close must change.

"Instead of delivering the message (hurricane preparation) in a few more days, I am going to deliver it now for Labour Day," he said, as he urged Jamaicans to look over their homes and yards for anything that could become unsafe.

"All of you who are still in bed: get up and move around your house," Holness said. "Check on your generator if you have one; make sure it is working; refuel if necessary. Check on your roof; see whatever little repairs you can do."

The Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution was selected as one of two National Labour Day projects. The other project was at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Holness said communities should move quickly to limit hurricane hazards by clearing blocked drains, trimming dangerous trees and fastening structures that may be vulnerable before the season starts.

"Examine the curtilage of your property. Look around your community and see the things that are a threat to your safety and the integrity of your house. Prune your trees and clear culverts and drains," he said, adding that the work should not be delayed until a storm is approaching. "You see that limb that was hanging before and threatening? Now is a good time to prune it. Don’t do it when the hurricane is coming."

He also reminded Jamaicans of the danger of doing that kind of work during a hurricane.

"Remember, unfortunately, I think we lost about two lives of persons trying to do this pruning of the trees during the hurricane," Holness said.