UWI Mona and Local Universities Launch Higher Education Task Force for Disaster Resilience (HEDE)

Welcome to 2026 – Happy New Year from MGI! As we welcome 2026, the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, extends our sincere appreciation to our partners, clients, and dedicated team for your continued support throughout a challenging yet highly impactful 2025.  Despite economic pressures and the significant effects of Hurricane Melissa, our resilience, adaptability, and shared commitment enabled meaningful progress during the past year. We carry this momentum forward with renewed energy and purpose as we step into 2026. Guided by a leadership approach rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and collaboration, MGI remains focused on innovation and delivering real-world impact. In the year ahead, we look forward to executing bold ideas, strengthening partnerships across UWI and beyond, expanding our international reach while deepening our foundation in Jamaica, and advancing key services including GIS and auto-address mapping, climate change analysis, remote sensing, mobile data collection, training, and turnkey geospatial solutions. Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are well positioned to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. If you would like MGI to support a project or help bring an idea to life, simply Google “Help me MGI or Help me MonaGIS” and we will be happy to assist. Contact MGI:Web: www.monagis.comEmail: info@monainformatixltd.comPhone: (876) 977-3161 / (876) 977-3162Socials: @mgimona #MGI #MonaGIS #UWI #Geospatial #GIS #Innovation #ClimateResilience #DigitalTransformation #DroneTechnology #RemoteSensing #DataDriven #CaribbeanTech #Jamaica #NewYear2026

Hurricane impact describes the range of effects produced by the storm system, including high winds, storm surge, groundwater flooding, and heavy rainfall. Damage, by contrast, refers to the resulting physical destruction caused by these hazards, such as roof loss, structural failure, interior flooding, and broken windows. It is important to emphasize that the attached map illustrates impact, not damage. It represents one of the most critical macro-scale products released following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. This map has been instrumental in disaster-response planning and in improving situational awareness. In addition, Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) can provide the following value-added datasets and analyses: Hurricane data used in this model were sourced from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane pathways database. Contact MGI:Email: info@monainformatixltd.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 977-3161Instagram DM: @mgimona #HurricaneSeason2025 #HurricaneMelissa #ClimateChange #CaribbeanResilience #DisasterPreparedness #MGI

We celebrate a successful partnership between the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust (MBMPT), and our funders, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the British High Commission. This initiative forms part of a collaborative project designed to strengthen MBMPT’s capacity to monitor and manage the Montego Bay Marine Park. Through the integration of drone technology, the project enhances monitoring and enforcement within the Special Fisheries Conservation Area, while also supporting the assessment of diverse marine ecosystems across the park. It has been a pleasure working with the MBMPT throughout 2025, and we look forward to building on this impactful collaboration. Visit our website at www.monagis.com for more information. Contact MGI:Email: info@monainformatixltd.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 977-3161Instagram DM: @mgimona #mgi #jamaica #mbmpt #mgi #monagis #montegobay #marine #marinepark #drone #dronevideo #MGITraining #knowledge #knowledgeispower #fcdo #uk #dji #uwimona

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which ran from June 1 to November 30, has officially come to a close. This year was marked by intense activity, including Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking storm that devastated Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. The season produced 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, closely aligning with early forecasts. Notably, 3 storms reached Category 5 status, making 2025 one of the most powerful seasons on record, second only to 2005. Hurricane Melissa: A Historic and Devastating Event Hurricane Melissa became the strongest tropical cyclone globally for the year and one of the most intense in Atlantic history, based on both barometric pressure and sustained winds. It also stands as the most powerful storm ever to make landfall in Jamaica. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa brought catastrophic winds, flooding, and storm surge that caused widespread destruction. The storm triggered island-wide power outages, severe infrastructure damage, and significant disruption to essential services. Communities in St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny, Manchester, Hanover, and Westmoreland were among the hardest hit, experiencing extensive flooding, landslides, and damage to homes and road networks. According to estimates from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Hurricane Melissa caused record-breaking damage to Jamaica, with losses totaling an all-time high of US$8.8 billion. Growing Risks in a Changing Climate: Climate change continues to intensify hurricanes, putting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean at increasing risk. Understanding these threats is essential as the region prepares for stronger, more frequent storms. MGI’s Executive Director, Luke Buchanan, stated, “As we close the 2025 hurricane season, Hurricane Melissa reminds us that stronger storms are becoming the new normal. MGI is dedicated to providing the science and tools needed for informed resilience planning.” He also emphasized that MGI remains committed to leveraging science, technology, and data-driven insights to tell Jamaica’s climate story and support national resilience efforts. Stay connected for updates, analysis, and disaster-related research. Contact us atWeb: www.monagis.comEmail: info@monainformatixltd.comPhone: (876) 977-3161-2Socials: @mgimona #HurricaneSeason2025 #HurricaneMelissa #ClimateChange #CaribbeanResilience #DisasterPreparedness #MGI