Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon says the government has transitioned into assessment and response mode.

This follows the passage of Hurricane Beryl which impacted the island yesterday.

Minister Morris Dixon says the government is grateful that the impact of the weather system has not been worse. 

She says the government is aware of the plight of those residents who suffered major damage.

During today, the authorities will continue assessment of the damage via various agencies, even as it seeks to respond as quickly as possible to those who need emergency assistance.

Meanwhile, a clearer picture will emerge today of the damage caused by Beryl which battered the country with strong winds and rain yesterday.

Reports emerged of downed trees and light poles, blocked roads and damage to homes and infrastructure across several parishes.

It’s expected that assessments and cleanup efforts will get underway as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Up to late yesterday close to a thousand residents had gone into shelters. Thousands of customers also lost electricity, cell phone and internet services.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) said it had  put a pause on the restoration of electricity services in the interest of the safety of its teams.

In an update JPS said its teams are doing remote assessment of the impact of the hurricane on its systems. It says where possible it will restore power remotely.

It adds that once the ‘all clear’ is given by ODPEM, a physical damage assessment will be done, and the full restoration process will begin.

Meanwhile the National Works Agency (NWA) says reports of blocked roads have come from several parishes.

NWA Manager of Communications and Customer Services, Steven Shaw, says the agency has the capacity to respond and will do so when its safe.