The country's two major electricity and water utilities have expressed a sense of readiness in light of the possibility that the island could be hit by a Category Four hurricane by Sunday, if weather conditions persist.

Spokespersons at both the Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd. (JPS) and the National Water Commission (NWC) said their companies have begun to put in place necessary preparations and precautions in the event Hurricane Dean makes landfall, as expected, by tomorrow.

Winsome Callum, head of corporate communication at the JPS, told The Gleaner that the company had started the groundwork necessary to open its emergency operation centres in parishes across the island, in keeping with its emergency operation procedures.

Restoration activities

"These centres will be responsible for restoration activities following the hurricane," said Ms. Callum in a written response.

"As part of our normal operating procedure, JPS is taking steps to ensure that all relevant operational areas of the company are ready to respond in the event of an emergency".

The JPS has advised tha its power system is built to withstand and operate throughout some hurricane conditions, if the conditions are severe, it may become necessary to shut down some or all of its power plants and transmission and distribution network.

"It is therefore difficult to predict if, and when, the power is likely to be turned off. However, once the decision is made, the company will advise the public via the electronic media," advised the JPS.

Under the Z-factor agreement, the JPS has been able to recoup for damage sustained after Hurricane Ivan struck in 2004. Customers are now being charged for these losses.

Self-insurance fund

In light of this, the JPS has advised that the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) subsequently approved the establishment of a self-insurance fund, under which the JPS will be able to cover damage to its transmission and distribution network, for which the company is unable to get insurance coverage.

The NWC also conveyed "a high state of readiness" in a news release sent yesterday morning.

Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager, said, "The NWC is as prepared as we can be. In fact, we are more prepared than we have been in previous years because we have sought to build on our previous years' experience."

Mr. Buchanan, however, cautioned that despite the water company's best efforts, "water supply and wastewater systems around the world are extremely vulnerable to hurricanes and extreme weather events".

The NWC is urging residents to prepare for the possible interruption to their piped water supply service during and after Hurricane Dean, should it affect Jamaica.

"The public is therefore urged to store as much treated water as is possible and to conserve and use water carefully in the event of an emergency," said the NWC.