The Government of Jamaica has intensified recovery efforts in the flood-affected communities of Catherine Hall  and West Green in Montego Bay, following severe damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister with responsibility for Works, in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan,  who visited the area today (November 14, 2025), underscored the scale and urgency of the operation, noting that the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has already removed over 700 truckloads of solid waste to restore public safety.

Minister Morgan toured the affected areas with Hon. Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister; Councillor Richard Vernon, Mayor of the Montego Bay Municipal Corporation; Mr. Audley Gordon, Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA); and representatives from the National Works Agency.

“The Prime Minister has assigned Dr. Wheatley and me to work closely with the NSWMA, the municipality, and residents to help return these communities to normalcy. This is a critical task, and we are committed to restoring safe living conditions as quickly as possible,” he noted.

He added that the Government has directed the municipality, councillors, and the NSWMA to mobilise community labour, supported by equipment and water trucks from surrounding areas, to accelerate the cleanup.

Dr. Wheatley, describing the extent of the devastation, noted that floodwaters rose as high as 10 feet, destroying furniture, clothing, roofing, and other household items.

“Our first priority is public health and safety,” he stated. “Over the next few days, we will intensify cleanup efforts, removing debris, damaged furniture, and mud from walkways and homes. This is a necessary step toward restoring dignity and stability to the families who have suffered so greatly.”

Meanwhile, NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon confirmed that a new phase of the operation will begin tonight.

“We’re waiting for traffic to ease so we can move in with full force. We thank the residents for their patience. We are well ahead of where we were a week ago, and we will not stop until the job is complete”, he stated.

The Government is urging residents to exercise caution and cooperate with cleanup teams as restoration efforts progress.

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