KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, is to make a statement in the House of Representatives today regarding Hurricane Matthew.

Hurricane Matthew has been creating death and destruction across the Atlantic, since September 28 when it first became a Tropical Storm.

Although Jamaica was spared the most devastating effects of the hurricane, up to 40 inches of rain fell in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and there are reports of more than 1,000 deaths, flash flooding, mud slides, and extreme damage to homes and other properties.

It was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States East Coast in decades, with winds reaching 145 mph and gusts up to 166 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, which has been giving regional coverage to its passage.

The Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30.

Also included in today’s agenda for the House of Representatives is the continuation of the debate on: the Bill shortly entitled “The Road Traffic Act, 2016”, which was opened two weeks ago by Minister of Transport and Mining Mike Henry; and a start to debate on a Bill shortly entitled, “The Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2016, which aims at reinstituting the benefits of the Junior Stock Exchange.

The new State of the Constituency Debate, which was instituted in 2015/16, will start its 2016/17 session with two speakers — Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, Government member of Parliament, who will open the debate, and Opposition member of Parliament, Dr Dayton Campbell.

Balford Henry