The government is now assessing and responding to the passage of Hurricane Beryl

Minister of Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, says the government has moved into assess and respond mode.

This is a result of Hurricane Beryl that passed over the island yesterday.

Minister Morris Dixon says the government is grateful the impact of the weather system has not been worse.

She says the government is aware of the situation of residents who have suffered major damage.

Today, authorities continue to assess the damage through various agencies, but in the meantime they are trying to provide assistance as quickly as possible to people who need it.

Today will see a clearer picture of the damage caused by Beryl, which swept across the country yesterday with strong winds and rain.

Reports came in of fallen trees and lampposts, blocked roads and damage to homes and infrastructure in several parishes.

Assessments and cleanup are expected to begin as soon as it is safe to do so.

By last night, nearly a thousand residents had gone to shelters, and thousands of customers were also left without electricity, cell phones and internet.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has announced that it has suspended the restart of electricity supply in the interest of the safety of its teams.

In an update, JPS said its teams are remotely assessing the impact of the hurricane on its systems. It said it will restore power remotely where possible.

It is stated that once the ODPEM gives the all-clear, a physical damage assessment will be carried out and the full restoration process will begin.

Meanwhile, the National Agency for Works (NWA) reports that several parishes have received reports of blocked roads.

Steven Shaw, NWA’s Communications and Customer Service Manager, says the agency has the capacity to respond and will do so when it is safe to do so.

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