Jamaicans are going crazy! A week after Hurricane Beryl many are still without electricity. People have voiced their frustration on all platforms, struggling with the heat and finding cooking and ironing impossible. Many compare these times to those of their parents, barely surviving hardships they were once warned about.
People have lost a lot from the power outage. Meat and other frozen items have spoiled, and small businesses like hair stylists, barbers, and retailers are hobbled without electricity. Everyone is questioning whether JPS has a disaster preparedness plan.
The hurricane caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including power lines and utility poles. Roadblocks, fallen trees, and debris have complicated things for the JPS repair crews. The government is helping with the cleanup, but the scale of damage makes a quick recovery challenging. People are angry and see these challenges as excuses.
JPS says it is doing its best to restore electricity. Thus far, over 400,000 Jamaicans have regained power. The company is blitzing the public trying to reassure customers that progress is being made. However, the government faces backlash for letting JPS maintain a monopoly. Some say if JPS had competition they would have been better prepared for disasters like this one. Their monopoly has brought complacency and a disincentive for proper investment.
As we write this those who have already had power restored are appreciative. Everyone recognizes that JPS workers have been working long hours, often in dangerous conditions. In many places, volunteers are helping those affected by Beryl’s aftermath. But even as recovery efforts continue, Jamaicans are imploring JPS to invest in disaster preparedness to prevent a similar fate in the future.