Overseas line workers being brought in to Jamaica as part of Melissa preparations - JPS

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says overseas line workers, under partnerships with overseas contractors, are being brought in as part of preparations for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa.

The first group of overseas line workers from St Vincent is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica today, said JPS in a statement on Wednesday.

JPS said it is preparing to activate its Emergency Operations to facilitate a coordinated response in the event of damage to the power delivery infrastructure.

Amid the preparation, JPS is noting that several days of rain have left the soil already waterlogged and the tropical storm is expected to bring more.

This means that we will likely experience flooding and landslides that could impact the network, causing outages, the company noted.

JPS is encouraging customers to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property.

Customers are advised to have their service wires checked to ensure they are properly secured and free from damage, to prevent serious safety hazards during the storm.

They are also being reminded to know where their circuit breaker is located, in case it becomes necessary to turn off the power supply on their premises.

Customers should also make sure that back-up generators are operational and gassed, and persons with solar installations are encouraged to ensure their battery energy storage systems are charged.

JPS is appealing to customers to make sure that their solar installations and generators are put on settings that prevent a back-feed onto the JPS grid – an issue that can be hazardous to members of the public and JPS crew working on power lines.

Persons are also advised to unplug large or sensitive appliances, in case severe weather conditions result in fluctuations in power supply.

Solar panels, roof fixtures and other equipment that are prone to displacement due to heavy winds and flooding should be secured.

JPS is assuring customers that, in the event of a loss of power supply, every effort will be made to restore electricity safely and within the shortest possible time.

However, the company is urging patience, as crews may need to navigate challenging terrains to assess the power infrastructure and prioritize the restoration of essential services, large industrial zones, and major geographic areas before moving to individual communities.

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