A public education campaign and drills with emergency management teams are among the measures the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has planned as it prepares for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. According to Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby, the corporation is taking no chances even though meteorologists predict the season could be less active than normal.

Delivering his statements and announcements during Tuesday’s monthly meeting, the mayor told councillors of ongoing talks to transition from a singular hazard-focused approach to a more comprehensive, multi-hazard preparedness framework, which, he says, will ensure its readiness to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies and disasters.

“On Tuesday, May 27, the KSAMC convened a state of readiness meeting with members of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Disaster Committee to assess preparedness measures ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. As usual, we extend our sincere appreciation to the agencies and stakeholders that participated in this important exercise and reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the residency of this municipality,” said Swaby.

“While the forecast indicates that the upcoming hurricane season may be below average in activity, the committee emphasised that preparedness must remain a priority,” he continued.

He noted that the preparations for the season are inclusive of shelter management, emergency operations centre training, centralisation programmes targeting vulnerable and homeless populations, and the cleaning of critical grid infrastructure throughout the municipality.

“Additionally, a hurricane simulation exercise involving all members of the parish disaster committee will be undertaken to test the strength of operational readiness and inter-agency coordination. The committee also agreed to develop an enhanced public education and awareness programme, drawing on the expertise of all participating agencies to better reach vulnerable communities and promote disaster preparedness at the household and community levels,” said Swaby.

The mayor added that under the mandate of Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie, the Parochial Revenue Fund (PRF) primarily dedicated to road rehabilitation will be directed towards drain and gully cleaning for the months of May and June.

“The importance of this practice was recently underscored by the Minister of Local Government during a sectoral presentation, where he highlighted the critical role that drain maintenance plays in reducing flooding, risk, and strengthening community resilience. Accordingly, while the PRF remains an important resource for addressing road infrastructure needs, the councillors are encouraged to give priority consideration to the drain cleaning and gully cleaning as I have indicated before,” he said.

Swaby also used the monthly meeting to urge members to take seriously their role in the preparedness of the Corporate Area in the event of a major disaster or emergency. He noted that the level of attendance at the May 27 meeting was unsatisfactory, with several agencies and members of the disaster preparedness committee absent. He stressed that their future attendance is mandatory.

“Consequently, I have instructed the CEO, Mr Robert Hill, to write the agencies concerned to remind them of their obligation under the Disaster Risk Management Act and the importance of their full participation in the committee’s work,” the mayor said.

“The meeting also served as a reminder that the KSAMC’s Disaster Committee is a statutory body established under the Disaster Risk Management Act of 2015, which prescribes both its membership and functions. As such, all designated agencies and stakeholders are expected to actively participate in the committee’s work to ensure a coordinated, effective, and legally compliant approach to disaster risk management across municipalities,” he added.

Swaby also encouraged members of the public to take preparedness into their own hands, arguing that Jamaica recovers best when both the State and citizens are equipped to handle disaster.

“While Government agencies and emergency responders have critical roles to play, every citizen must take the necessary steps to prepare their homes, families, and communities for potential hazards. Disaster preparedness is most effective when it is embraced by a shared responsibility between public authorities and the persons we serve,” he said.