The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has launched a hurricane awareness programme, targeting residents of Jamaica's most vulnerable parishes.

Nadine Newsome, ODPEM's director of communications, said that some parishes remain vulnerable because of their susceptibility to storm surges, despite an improvement in public awareness.

"We've decided to stage a series of expositions in four of our most vulnerable parishes," she said. "We started in St. Thomas and we'll be going to Montego Bay in St. James, Spanish Town in St. Catherine and Westmoreland, to prepare the communities to respond should they be impacted by disaster events."

According to Ms. Newsome, the aim of the awareness sessions is to help residents prepare for hurricanes and to take more seriously the tips and warnings issued.

To find out more about the awareness seminars, call ODPEM at 928-5111.