KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is activating its emergency operations plan to coordinate a swift response in the event of damage to the island’s power network.

The company is urging customers to prioritise safety and take precautions before, during and after the storm.

“We are particularly concerned about this system,” said Lance Becca, chief operating officer at JPS. “The soil is already waterlogged from several days of rain, and the system is expected to bring more. What this means is that we will likely experience flooding and landslides that could impact the network, causing outages.”

In preparation, JPS is strengthening its response capacity through mutual aid partnerships with regional contractors. It said the first team of overseas line workers from St Vincent arrived on the island on Wednesday to support restoration efforts if needed.

Customers are being advised to take key safety measures, including checking that service wires are properly secured and free from damage, identifying the location of their circuit breakers, and ensuring backup generators are fuelled and operational. Those with solar systems should confirm that batteries are fully charged and that settings prevent back-feeding onto the JPS grid, a safety hazard for both the public and JPS crews.

The company is also recommending that customers unplug large or sensitive appliances to protect against power surges and secure solar panels, roof fixtures or other items that could be dislodged by high winds. Households are encouraged to keep flashlights, mobile chargers and battery-powered radios on hand in case of extended outages.

JPS has assured the public that restoration efforts will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. However, Becca cautioned that challenging terrain and widespread damage could delay repairs in some areas.

“Above all else, we urge everyone to prioritise their personal safety and that of their families,” Becca emphasised. “Each customer remains a priority, and we will develop and execute a restoration plan that is safe, efficient and operationally feasible to achieve full restoration as quickly as possible.”

The company is reminding customers to report outages, downed lines or other electricity-related issues through the MyJPS mobile app, the chat feature at http://www.jpsco.com, or by calling 888-225-5577 or 888-935-5577. Regular updates will be shared through JPS’ official communication channels.