MINISTER of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie is urging Jamaicans to be prepared to face any eventuality during this hurricane season, which started on June 1 and ends on November 30.

Forecasters at the United States-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have predicted an above-normal hurricane activity in the region this year.

NOAA has forecast a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39mph or higher). Of those, eight to 13 are predicted to become hurricanes (winds of 74mph or higher), including four to seven hurricanes at category 3 or higher.

Addressing a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council One meeting in Fletcher’s Land, in his Kingston Western constituency on Tuesday, McKenzie said the Government has gone the extra mile to ensure that proactive steps are taken to mitigate against the increasing threat of natural disasters such as hurricanes and those triggered by climate change.

He noted casualties across the globe triggered by various heatwaves and urged Jamaicans to be prepared and to cooperate with the national disaster preparedness efforts.

“I want to use a political platform tonight to send a message to Jamaicans, JLP and PNP [People’s National Party] and no P at all: Get yourselves in order. Do not dismiss what the experts are saying,” McKenzie implored.

He said the Government is mindful of the potential for natural disasters and has put extensive effort into preparing.

“That is why this Government made the necessary arrangements. We have provisions in the budget and we also have insurance. Never before, in the history of Jamaica, has any Government made provisions via international insurance.

“The intent of this is that if we are faced with disaster, we do not have to run go beg nobody no money. We don’t have to wait on assistance, it is available,” declared McKenzie as he pointed out that the National Disaster Fund that is held in the Ministry of Local Government has in excess of $500 million.

He said the municipal corporations will be using the allocation that they get from the Parochial Revenue Fund for June to do drain cleaning mitigation exercises.

“The prime minister has written to all Members of Parliament advising of an allocation to deal with mitigation work across the country. Your Government is being proactive in preparing the country, just in case. There will be additional allocations as well for disaster mitigation work across various municipal corporations,” added McKenzie.