KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, has warned that no one in Jamaica should feel that they will escape the effects of Hurricane Melissa, which is rapidly intensifying and on course to hit Jamaica as a monster Category 4 or 5 storm by Tuesday morning.

“Let us be clear with every Jamaican that this is a large, slow-moving, dangerous storm, and that it is in your interest to listen to reputable news sources,” said Samuda.

He was speaking Saturday at a special media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“Ignore sources that are proven to misinform on a regular basis, and tune in to those sources that we have told you about before so that you have the accurate information in a timely fashion that allows you to plan and take the appropriate action,” he added.

Such sources include Jamaica Information Service, the Meteorological Service, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), various government channels including the Office of the Prime Minister and Samuda’s own ministry.

“Stick to official government sources and reputable media houses for your briefings and for your updates as to the state of the storm because it is a slow-moving, very dangerous, very wet storm,” he implored.

Meanwhile, Samuda said the National Water Commission has moved to secure additional power supply for its loading bays for trucking services.

“We have also moved to secure accommodation very close to our loading bays for the officers who will be needed to be in place so that trucks can immediately start to move once we have the all-clear from ODPEM to start distributing water even while we turn on additional systems.”

The water minister reiterated that priority will be given to hospitals, infirmaries, detention facilities and places of safety for children “because that is where they are unable to help themselves in a particular way”.

— Lynford Simpson