KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness is encouraging Jamaicans to stay alert and take the necessary actions to prepare for Hurricane Beryl which is expected to impact the island by Wednesday of next week.

The prime minister issued the warning while speaking at the St Andrew South Community Consultative Conference at the Pembroke Hall High School auditorium on Saturday.

Addressing the audience, Holness noted that various models have projected that Beryl, which has now developed into a hurricane, will possibly cause adverse weather conditions across the island.

“We expect that by Wednesday morning we will be experiencing such conditions. The relevant agencies will put out the necessary warnings as the system develops. I am merely giving you advanced warning,” Holness said.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica earlier said that initial forecasts indicate that the centre could pass over 150 miles away from the country’s coastline.

READ: Centre of Tropical Storm Beryl could pass 150 miles from Jamaica’s coastline but prepare for the worst — Met Service

This satellite image shows Hurricane Beryl

The latest update from the National Hurricane Centre added that Beryl is expected to become a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands late Sunday night or Monday, bringing destructive hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge.

“I am encouraging all Jamaicans to get your precautionary stocks in place, your stocks of food, your batteries and candles, a supply of water just in case and ensure that your critical documents are secure. If there are any trees or other things that could be of danger to your property, please ensure that you take necessary actions to secure those items and to secure your property as well,” the prime minister warned.

“It is always in your best interest to be prepared and if the weather event passes and there is no impact you would have lost nothing but you do not want that impact to occur and you did not prepare for it…It is better to be prepared than to be sorry that you didn’t prepare so I encourage all Jamaicans to take the necessary steps,” he continued adding that we are now in the hurricane season so such steps should have already been taken.

Holness said the Government through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Jamaica Defence Force, and other agencies is already on alert, mobilised and prepared for any potential impact.