ST JAMES, Jamaica — Director of Customer Solutions at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Leroy Reid, says the company is conducting detailed damage assessments across the island, following the extensive impact of Hurricane Melissa on the electricity grid.

He was speaking after an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meeting at the St James Municipal Corporation, on Friday.

Reid said the damage to both the transmission and distribution networks has been significant.

He pointed out that JPS teams, with support from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), have been conducting aerial and ground patrols to assess the extent of the damage.

“The damage assessment will take some time, so we’re asking Jamaica to be patient. Once we have completed the damage assessment, then we will craft a restoration strategy,” he said, noting that the company will communicate restoration timelines after that process is completed.

Reid also outlined that the JPS had prepared in advance of the hurricane season, securing additional manpower to support its restoration efforts.

“We have already secured approximately 70 overseas line workers from the Caribbean and from elsewhere in the world to be here ahead of the storm to support our restoration strategy,” he said.

“We’re also looking at bringing in additional resources by air or by sea, resources in the form of people with expertise and equipment, to support restoring Jamaica,” Reid noted.

He acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders regarding access to marooned communities where JPS infrastructure may be obstructing roadways.

“In instances where we have communities that are marooned because of JPS infrastructure, that is something that I will take to our Incident Command Centre to determine how quickly we can respond, but we ask for patience, as dispersing our resources too widely could impact our emergency response strategy and the speed with which we can dispatch crews,” he said.

Reid urged Jamaicans to remain cautious as they begin post-hurricane recovery efforts.

“We recognise that people are fixing their homes, fixing their roofs and doing things that they haven’t done for a very long time,” he said.

“We ask you to stop, to think, to assess before you act. Remember that our public health infrastructure is compromised, and post-Melissa, you need to be well. Your families need you,” Reid implored.

He reiterated JPS’s commitment to working swiftly and safely to restore normalcy across the island.

“Be safe, be patient. We commit to doing our best and working as quickly as we can to restore Jamaica. Thank you for your support Jamaica; we’re here working for you,” Reid said.

— JIS