The Meteorological Service has advised that Jamaica is now under a Tropical Storm Warning with immediate effect.

With this new development, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Education are directing that all schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary and Portland be closed.

ODPEM is further advising that with the conditions of a Tropical Storm likely to be felt within the next 12-24 hours it is recommended that Businesses and Government entities in the Parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary begin to initiate 12-24 hour pre-impact activities which essentially entails the phasing down of operations for non essential workers by mid-day today.

The ODPEM continues to monitor the situation and will give updates accordingly.

Contact: Kimberley Weller, Information Officer kweller@odpem.org.jm