JPS activates emergency operations ahead of Elsa

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says it is activating its emergency operations to facilitate a timely response to any damage to its power delivery infrastructure as Hurricane Elsa approaches the island.

Winsome Callum, director of corporate communications at JPS, said that the company had started preparations for the hurricane season from the start of the year.

She is reminding customers that they may lose their power supply as a result of the hurricane. “Weather conditions associated with the system are likely to include strong winds and rains. These could cause power lines to snap, trees to fall on power lines, and landslides which may cause poles to be dislocated.”

Callum advises that after a tropical storm or hurricane, JPS teams will first need to make the necessary checks and assessment of damage to the electricity network before restoration efforts can get under way.

She said that depending on the severity of the impact and damage to the power delivery infrastructure, customers might be out of power for an extended period.