Jamaica Commits $246 Million to Drain Cleaning, Flood Mitigation Ahead of 2026 Hurricane Season

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ahead of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Government has earmarked $246 million for mitigation works across Jamaica, with the bulk of the funding directed at clearing drains in flood-prone communities.

In a Tuesday release, the ministry indicated that each constituency will receive an average of $2 million from the total pot to carry out drain-cleaning exercises in priority and vulnerable areas. Officials said the figure mirrors the boosted allocation introduced last year, which expanded the ability of members of parliament to lead local mitigation efforts before storm activity ramps up.

Whatever remains after the constituency-level disbursements will be handled by the National Works Agency, which will deploy heavier equipment and technical resources to address jobs that go beyond routine drain cleaning.

Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Nesta Morgan, said the spending underscores the administration's emphasis on practical, early preparation and stronger resilience. "We are acting before the storms come. Last year, the Government increased the allocation to constituencies for pre-hurricane mitigation, and this year we have maintained that strengthened level of support. This will allow critical drain cleaning to continue in communities before the peak of the hurricane season," Morgan said.

The minister pointed out that Jamaica has been hit with progressively heavier rainfall events, straining drains, gullies, roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. He framed the pre-hurricane programme as one piece of a broader resilience push that takes in road repairs, bridge upgrades, gully works, and tighter coordination among state agencies.

Under the initiative, MPs will work alongside local authorities and technical officers to flag priority drains and critical zones in need of urgent attention, with effort concentrated in communities most exposed to flooding, blocked drains, and poor stormwater runoff.

"Drain cleaning may not always attract headlines, but it is one of the most important things we can do to reduce flooding, protect property, and limit damage during periods of heavy rainfall. We cannot prevent hurricanes, but we can reduce the damage they cause by preparing properly," Morgan added.

Authorities are also calling on the public to back the programme by keeping garbage, bulky items, construction debris, and other waste out of drains, gullies, and waterways, noting that improper dumping remains a leading driver of flooding during heavy downpours.

Morgan said the Government will keep collaborating with MPs, municipal corporations, the National Works Agency, and other stakeholders to ensure the mitigation works are well targeted and finished on time.