Safer Roads Saves Lives: A Review of 2024 vs 2023

HURRICANE SEASON PREPAREDNESS GUIDE Presented by the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica W.I. Website: www.monagis.comEmail: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 671-7001 / (876) 816-8791 The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Preparation can make all the difference in protecting your home, family, and community. Here are key tips and checklists to help you get ready and stay safe before, during, and after a storm/hurricane. These tips apply to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region. The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) is dedicated to providing you with accurate, timely, and practical information to enhance your hurricane preparedness and resilience. BEFORE THE STORM: PREPARE YOUR HOME AND SAFETY PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE POWER LOSS STOCK UP ON ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES PLAN AHEAD WITH YOUR FAMILY KNOW YOUR RISK & STAY INFORMED IF ADVISED TO EVACUATE: DO IT IMMEDIATELY PREVENTION & LONG-TERM SAFETY FINAL REMINDERS MAIN EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS FOR JAMAICA Category Contact Information General Emergencies Police, Fire, Ambulance: 119 Police (Non-Emergency) Kingston & St. Andrew: (876) 927-7681-9Other parishes: Check JCF directory Medical Emergencies / Hospitals Ambulance: 110 or (876) 926-0296 (St. John Ambulance)University Hospital of the West Indies: (876) 927-1620-9Kingston Public Hospital: (876) 922-0210-9 Fire Department Jamaica Fire Brigade: (876) 922-0007 / 922-0027 Utility Emergencies JPS (Electricity): 888-225-5577 (888-CALL-JPS)NWC (Water): 888-225-5692 (888-CALL-NWC)NWA (Roads): (876) 754-1900 Disaster Assistance ODPEM: (876) 906-9674-5 or 888-991-4262 Contact MGI:Email: info@monagis.comPhone: (876) 671-7001 / (876) 816-8791Web: www.monagis.com #HurricanePreparedness #MGIUpdates #StaySafeJamaica #DisasterReadiness #HurricaneSeason2025 #BePrepared #MGITips #MonaGIS #CaribbeanWeather #StormReady #CommunityResilience #HurricanesAndGIS #Flooding #LandSlides#GISinJamaica#CarribeanGIS

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with the most active period typically occurring between August and October. During this time, tropical storms and hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, often bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and damaging winds across the Caribbean region. Early climate outlooks suggest that large-scale climate patterns may shape the 2026 season, particularly the potential transition toward El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions in the Pacific Ocean. When El Niño develops, it typically increases vertical wind shear over the Atlantic, which can reduce the likelihood of storm formation or intensification. However, even during El Niño years, major hurricanes can still develop, especially when sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic remain unusually warm. 2026 Tropical Cyclone Names Each Atlantic hurricane season follows a pre-established list of storm names maintained by the World Meteorological Organization. For the 2026 season, the list includes 21 rotating names that are assigned sequentially to tropical storms as they form. The full list of names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is: Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal. Other names in the 2026 list include Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred. These names repeat every six years unless a storm becomes particularly destructive, in which case the name is retired and replaced. Understanding the Risk in Jamaica Jamaica’s geographic location places it directly within the Atlantic hurricane belt, making the island particularly vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Major storms such as Hurricane Charlie, Hurricane Gilbert, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Beryl have caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture across the island. Beyond strong winds, hurricanes frequently trigger secondary hazards, including: These impacts are especially severe in Jamaica’s steep terrain where intense rainfall can rapidly destabilize slopes and watersheds. A Data-Driven Approach to Preparedness At the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), at The University of the West Indies Mona Campus, we are committed to using geospatial technology to improve disaster preparedness and risk awareness across Jamaica. Residents, planners, and emergency responders can use the MGI Natural Hazards Dashboard to explore historical patterns of flooding and landslides across the island. The platform allows users to visualize hazard occurrences by parish and decade, helping communities better understand long-term risk patterns and exposure. 👉 Explore the Natural Hazards Dashboard:https://hazards-map.monagis.com/ Expert Insight According to Luke Buchanan, Executive Director at Mona Geoinformatics Institute on the The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus: “The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season will continue to be influenced by major ocean–atmosphere interactions, including the potential development of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. While El Niño can increase vertical wind shear across the Atlantic and sometimes suppress storm formation, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean can still experience significant tropical cyclone impacts, particularly as Atlantic sea surface temperatures remain unusually warm. These conditions can contribute to intense rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and rapid storm intensification. This reinforces the importance of preparedness, climate monitoring, and geospatial hazard analysis for small island states like Jamaica.” El Niño conditions are often associated with drier-than-normal weather across Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean. During an El Niño event, rainfall can decrease significantly, leading to prolonged dry periods, drought conditions, reduced river flows, and declining water levels in reservoirs and catchment areas. These impacts can contribute to water shortages affecting households, agriculture, and hydroelectric generation, while also increasing the risk of bush fires, heat stress, and reduced agricultural productivity. For small island states like Jamaica, strong drought preparedness and water resource management become especially important during El Niño periods. Stay Prepared This Hurricane Season Here is a list of Hurricane Tips from MGI: https://main.monagis.com/tropical-storm-melissa-looms-hurricane-tips-from-mgi/ Preparing early can significantly reduce risk during hurricane season. Consider the following steps: Building a Resilient Jamaica The increasing intensity of tropical storms highlights the need for data-driven decision-making and community awareness. By combining scientific forecasting with geospatial analysis, Jamaica can continue strengthening its disaster preparedness and resilience. Stay informed. Stay safe. Build a resilient Jamaica. Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comLinktree: linktr.ee/mgimonaPhone: 876-816-8791 / 876-671-7001 #HurricaneSeason2026 #NaturalHazards #Jamaica #FloodPreparedness #LandslideAwareness #MGI #MonaGIS #DisasterPreparedness #GISforGood #StaySafeJA #ClimateResilience #Flooding #Landslides #MonaGIS #GISinJamaica #GISJamaica #GeoAI #ClimateResilienceJamaica

At the Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI), our commitment to building a stronger future goes beyond data and research, it’s about investing directly in the next generation. We were absolutely delighted to participate in the recent Career Day and Boy’s Day at August Town Primary School. This inspiring initiative was dedicated to mentoring and uplifting young men, giving us the perfect platform to show them how passion and technology can turn into an exciting career pathway.  To introduce the students to the fields of geography and advanced technology, the MGI team conducted an interactive session focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones). Rather than a traditional lecture, the session utilized an experiential learning approach. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on interactions with drone components, learn the fundamentals of aerial mapping, and test their knowledge through a series of questions.  By showing these students the power of geospatial tech on their Career Day, we hope to spark an early passion for science and innovation, equipping the future leaders of our communities with the confidence and vision to build a brighter tomorrow.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students of August Town Primary School for such an incredible welcome. MGI remains deeply committed to bridging the gap between advanced science and grassroots community development as we work toward empowering Jamaica’s youth!  Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comLinktree: linktr.ee/mgimonaPhone: 876-816-8791 / 876-671-7001 #GISinJamaica #YouthInnovation #Drone #MGI #MonaUAV #ChildMonthJA #YouthEmpowerment #DJI 

Over the past few weeks at MGI, we have been advancing work on the Scoping of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Pilot for the Euroclima Project, under the Jamaica Country Action Plan. We were pleased to welcome our long-standing colleague and NbS expert, Dr. David Oswald of DE Design + Environment Inc., who joined us in Jamaica this April 2026 for hands-on stakeholder consultations. Our collaboration with David spans over a decade, and his input continues to be invaluable. During April 2026, the MGI and DE Design consultancy team carried out full field missions along the Kingston Waterfront corridor, from Riverton City (Callaloo Mews) in the west to Harbour View and Port Royal in the east. This critical exercise supported an evidence-based approach to identifying and refining a high-impact pilot intervention. We also engaged in a series of high-level institutional stakeholder consultations with key government agencies, strengthening alignment and implementation pathways for urban resilience. We embrace this collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) in helping to advance efforts to secure a more resilient future for Kingston. The work is focused on strengthening urban climate resilience in Kingston through strategic Nature-based Solutions and urban forestry, aligned with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 and Euroclima objectives. We continue to refine the methodology, stakeholder insights, and pilot design framework as we move toward implementation pathways for Kingston’s urban future. Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 816-8791 / (876) 671-7001 #NatureBasedSolutions #UrbanResilience #KingstonJamaica #ClimateAction #Euroclima #SustainableCities #GISinJamaica