THE METEOROLOGICAL Service issuing a hurricane warning yesterday morning was the routine notification that Hurricane Ivan was indeed heading for Jamaica.

Computer models have projected that the most dangerous hurricane since Gilbert in September 1988 will make landfall here near midday today. The sense of apprehension may be heightened by what the forecasters say about both storms: Ivan at Category 5 is more powerful than Gilbert was at Category 3. The difference is in wind speed of 130 miles per hour versus 160 for Ivan. In the potential for damage Gilbert was devastating; Ivan is said to be capable of inflicting catastrophe.

These observations are cited not to alarm but to reinforce the need for close attention to the precautions being urged on all members of the public by the relevant government agencies.

In that connection it is good to note that the machinery of disaster preparedness is up and running. Business places, schools and offices should have by now set in train the procedures to ensure personal safety and as far as possible the security of buildings and property.

Yesterday's front page included a graphic reminder that there are communities such as Board Villa in Denham Town, West Kingston, where residents in board and zinc shacks may be unprepared to ward off the hurricane's impact. These are the often forgotten warrens typical of the more depressed sectors of the innercity where distress is no stranger.

We expect that public buildings, such as schools, designated as places of refuge will be readily available as the need arises.

We note that recent agitation for the cleaning of municipal drains has borne some fruit as various agencies have been reporting much progress in the drive to minimise the impact of flood rains.

Damage to public utilities such as those supplying electricity cannot be accurately predicted. It is therefore up to individual households to follow the helpful substitutes and make-shift devices to ward off or protect against inconvenience or danger.

Hurricane Ivan represents a natural emergency which requires fortitude and good sense to deal with. Aberrations such as looting may challenge our capacity to maintain effective security. But we have survived calamity before and can do so again.

THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.

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