Jamaica Tourist Board Reports No Damage Following Hurricane Matthew Landfall

Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has announced that it is business as usual for the country after Hurricane Matthew passed the island early Tuesday morning.

While a band of heavy showers that fell on Sunday caused temporary flooding in some parts of Kingston, there was little or no damage to the island’s resorts and attractions, according to a news release issued by the JTB.

Water and telephone services were not disrupted and weather conditions continue to be good, according to the JTB. 

“We are thankful that 'Destination Jamaica' was spared a direct impact from Hurricane Matthew and that our on-shore partners did not suffer damage,” said Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s director of tourism. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our Caribbean neighbors as Matthew continues its journey northward.”

Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will reopen today, while Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay remained operational throughout the weekend. All cruise ports will open Tuesday afternoon. Ships have been alerted and will resume calls to Jamaica starting Wednesday, October 5. No structural damage to hotels has been reported and resorts are open and accepting guests. 

As of Tuesday, October 4, power was at 100 percent capacity throughout the country. There were few reports of power outages and the Jamaica Public Service Company worked to address each situation.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has discontinued the hurricane and tropical storm warnings as Hurricane Matthew's center moves away from the island’s territorial waters.

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