PENNANTS, Clarendon — Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie is urging Jamaicans to be extremely cautious and be constantly prepared for natural disasters, especially earthquakes.

According to McKenzie, the increased frequency of earthquakes that have been felt in Jamaica over the last 10 months is alarming and should be cause for concern.

“I want the country to be mindful that earthquakes don’t set up like rain. There is no early warning system that speaks to earthquakes. Jamaica is one of the top-tier countries when it comes on to disaster… We sit right in that fault line of earthquakes. Since October 30 last year to around January of this year Jamaica has experienced over 577 felt earthquakes ranging from a magnitude of 3.4. This morning [Tuesday] we registered a 4.5, and last Friday we registered a 5.3 magnitude earthquake,” said McKenzie.

“What this is saying to us, as a country, is that we must now focus much more attention on what can happen in the twinkling of an eye. God has been good, but God helps those who help themselves. As a country, we have lost value, we have lost respect for human lives. We forget what it is to say ‘Howdy’ and ‘Thank You, and our value about educating ourselves about natural disasters leaves much to be desired,” added McKenzie who heads the ministry tasked with preparing the country for these unforeseen natural events.

He issued a plea for Jamaicans not to ignore the signs.

“There was a massive earthquake last year while Cabinet was in session and it was a frightening experience. I am urging the people here in Clarendon and right across Jamaica to be mindful. We are just going into the third month of the hurricane season and already we are seeing activity that should be of concern to us as a country,” said McKenzie who was speaking at the handover ceremony of three houses in Pennants, Clarendon.

The recipients registered with the Clarendon Poor Relief Department and received a one-bedroom unit and two 2-bedroom units built at a cost of $27 million.

In his handover of the houses McKenzie argued that even as restoration efforts post-Hurricane Beryl continue in St Elizabeth and Clarendon, Jamaicans must be mindful that all it takes is one more major weather system to set us back.

He underscored that Jamaicans can help to minimise the effects of these systems by being more conscious.

“When there is a hurricane notice, listen to what the media is saying, don’t listen to social media that creates all sorts of mischief, because social media is having it to say that I am sick and drop down yesterday and in the hospital. That is a part of what social media is used for — to distort the facts and create mischief,” charged McKenzie.