Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

[evanovitch]

State of Public Emergency in effect for a month in Jamaica

the PM has advised the GG who invoked under his powers...it is effective in the first instance for one month...can be revoked at anytime within the month....first review to be done starting tomorrow....flow an distribution of supplies for the wellbeing of people in jeopardy and the history of criminal activity necessitates this measure

[evanovitch]

Re: State of Public Emergency in effect for a month in Jamaica

PM declares state of emergency
Sunday, 19 August 2007

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has declared state of public emergency as Hurricane Dean continues barrel across the country.


A statement from the Prime Minister's office was read a short while ago by Executive Director of the Jamaica Information Service, Huntley Medley.

"We are all aware that Hurricane Dean has severely affected Jamaica. Where the safety of the public is likely to be endangered and the various communities within Jamaica may be deprived of supplies and services that are essential to life,"

"We are also aware that during and after natural disasters there have been widespread attempts at looting and other threats to public safety," "As Prime Minister I have advised the Governor General to declare a state of public emergency has arisen," said the statement.

[Xavier]

Hurricane Dean

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT


NEWS RELEASE # 12

ISSUED ON: Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 8:30pm

IMPACT OF HURRICANE DEAN


The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reporting that, as at 5:00pm on Sunday, August 19th, a total of 191 shelters have been opened across the island, housing some 4,594 shelterees. Severely, affected parishes are as follows:

PARISH HAZARD
St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary and St. Catherine Substantial wind damage, storm surge and flooding
St. James, Kingston & St. Andrew Severe wind damage and flooding
Clarendon Flooding


DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM COMMUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING PARISHES:

1. St. Thomas:
Extensive damage has been reported from several communities within the parish of St. Thomas. Significant wind damage to roofs, storm surges, flooding, collapsed structures, impassable roadways are among the many reports.

2. St. James:
The community of Coral Gardens is severely affected by wind damage.

3. Kingston and St. Andrew:
Severe wind damage and downed power lines in the Riverton city area. Also, a fallen tree caused the collapse of a residential building in the Chambers Lane Area of Liganea, St. Andrew.

4. Clarendon:
Flooding has been reported from the Denbigh gully.

5. Portland:
Several roadways in Port Antonio, Manchioneal, Mount James and Mount Airy in Buff Bay are blocked.

6. St. Mary:
Several roadways from Junction to Broadgate are impassable due to fallen trees.

7. St. Catherine:
Storm surges have been reported along the Port Henderson road in Portmore rendering the roadway impassable along with roof damage in the communities of Naggo Head and Newland. The Newland Road is also impassable due to a fallen utility pole. Additionally, sections of the roadway have been eroded in Hellshire due to storm surges and rising water levels have been reported in Old Harbour forcing the evacuation of several persons.


DAMAGE TO CRITICAL FACILITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Telecommunications
Cellular telephone lines are down in sections of Portland, St. Mary, and Clarendon and there is currently no communication link with the parish of St. Thomas. Efforts are underway to re-establish communication links with St. Thomas as soon as possible.

2. Electricity
Well over 125,000 JPS customers are without power supply.

3. Water Supply
There have been reports of damage to water supply systems.


ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE ODPEM AS AT 5:00PM ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH:

1. A fully functional National Emergency Operations Centre.
2. Periodic parish updates to monitor shelter status.
3. Assistance with evacuation by the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
4. A number of interviews have been conducted with local and international media.
5. Plans have been put in place for an initial damage assessment.

ODPEM continues to monitor the situation.

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TO BE USED WITH EMERGENCY TONE

NEWS RELEASE #13

ISSUED ON: Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

HURRICANE DEAN BRINGS EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS TO JAMAICA

MEDIA HOUSES ARE BEING ASKED TO REPEAT THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES OUTLINED BELOW DURING PROGRAMMES

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as extreme weather conditions associated with Hurricane Dean move across the island. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue to affect most parishes throughout the night and into tomorrow with periods of strong, gusty winds, especially over western parishes.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising persons that if their roof should come off, and if the house or building shows signs of breaking up, get in the closet or the bath tub and pull the mattress over your body for protection.

If you are away from home remain where you are until the storm has passed. Many people lose their lives trying to get from place to place during a hurricane. Persons are also reminded to remain calm. Do not panic. Your ability to act logically is important.
The progress of Hurricane Dean will continue to be closely monitored by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and updates will be released to the public as soon as new information has been gathered.

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE #14

ISSUED ON: Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.
UPDATE ON POPULATED SHELTERS ACROSS JAMAICA

As the extreme weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Dean continue, including showers and thunderstorms, with periods of strong, gusty winds, a total of 213 shelters are now opened across the island, housing some 5,169 persons. They are:

Parish # of Shelters # of Persons
Trelawny 19 451
St. Thomas 14 264
St. Mary 5 68
St. James 22 555
St. Catherine 16 394
St. Ann 19 461
Portland 31 914
Manchester 21 90
KSA 21 714
Hanover 17 268
Clarendon 11 415
Westmoreland 8 352
St. Elizabeth 9 223
TOTAL 213 5169

The public is reminded that, under the National Shelter Programme, government-owned schools are designated as shelters. Information about shelters in your parish can be obtained from the Parish Disaster Coordinator (PDC) at Parish Councils islandwide or from the ODPEM. Make sure to find the safest possible route to the nearest shelter.
The following items can be taken to a shelter: blankets; flashlights and extra batteries; extra clothing; medication; 24 hours supply of non-perishable food and water – do not forget to take with you a can opener; toiletries such as soap, toilet tissue and sanitary napkins; infant necessities such as diapers and baby food; disposable cups, plates and forks; a portable radio and batteries; and a First Aid Kit.

The progress of Hurricane Dean will continue to be closely monitored by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and updates will be released to the public as soon as new information has been gathered.

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

A message from Jean Lowrie-Chin (Jamaicans.com writer & Observer columnist in Jamaica) via her blackberry. Below is her message.

As Hurricane Dean now churns below Westmoreland, relative calm has returned to Kgn - there are still intermittent gusts.
There was just a newsflash that the PM has declared a state of public emergency - the period is for one month, but can be called off at anytime. This has been done for the sake of public safety. The country is still without the power that had been cut to protect the system. The east and south coasts seem to have been worst hit - with roofs lost, trees down and
certain roads inundated. Several major roads in Kgn have been blocked by downed trees and a few lightposts.
Because the storm moved a little faster than expected, rainfall was not as heavy as expected though there were reports of storm surge in Portland, St Thomas, Port Henderson (St Catherine), Clarendon. Kudos to the Ofc of Disaster Preparedness (ODPEM) whose parish committees started early preparations - over 4000 Jamaicans sought shelter. The Jamaican media gave exceptional coverage especially CVM-Hot 102 and Power 106 who streamed live on the internet and kept lines of communication open for the worldwide diaspora. Thankfully there have been no reports so far of any lives lost.

Jean

[daver123]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Has there been any word on when Sangster International Airport will re-open? Also, how many tourists were able to evacuate the island? Seems to me there was a fairly short window of opportunity to send a lot of people home.

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board Northeast United States

Dear Friend:

Hurricane Dean hit Jamaica on Sunday August 19, 2007. The Hurricane has caused damage,the level of which is still being assessed. The Government has declared a State Of Emergency and many people are in shelters. There are many blocked roads including highways which will undoubtedly make traveling difficult over the next few days In anticipation of the devastation that can be caused by this hurricane we are mobilizing our resources to stockpile the following items:


·Twin Mattresses, Sheets & Blankets

·Flashlights and Batteries

·Tarpaulins

·Water Tables (water purification kits)

·Baby food and Diapers

·Canned foods (example: Corned Beef, Sardines, Canned Mackerel)

School Supplies:

* Spiral notebooks
* Loose leaf paper
* Rulers
* Pencil sharpeners
* Pencils
* Erasers
* Crayons
* Backpacks
* Socks: Dark Blue, White, and Brown
* School shoes: Males and females - Black and Brown

For further information on donations please contact Hon. Elsie Foster-Dublin @ 732-331-2768. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,
Harold L. Mignott M.D.
Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board
Northeast United states

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Dear Family,

The attached invites you and guests to the Prayer Service for Hope and Encouragement at the Family, Monday, August 20 @ 7:30 p.m. Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.

The Hon. Winston Barnes, City of Miramar Commissioner and popular radio show host-WAVS 1170AM, will be the Prayer Speaker. Steve Higgins will lead our music.

According to reports, like those of the Weather Channel, Hurricane Dean is certainly packing a punch on the peoples of the Caribbean. Jamaica, this afternoon, sustained winds of over 100 mph.

Once again The Family has stepped up to the challenge to be family and extend ourselves to the community. We are a hurricane relief collection point for Jamaica.

Come let us pray and be of encouragement in God's name!

See you and your guests tomorrow evening @ The Family.

Horace+
The Family

Rev. Horace D. Ward
Holy Family Episcopal Church
18701 NW 7th Avenue
Miami Gardens, Florida

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

I just spoke to someone in Jamaica. She is Liguaena below Sovereign. Basically here is her report

- Lots trees fallen down
- Road from Campion to Bob Marley Museum
- No Electric
- Everyone is waiting to hear from the PM and official reports from the ODP

[halfwaytree]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Not sure if this has been posted yet but I'll post anyway.

Island-wide damage report from ODPEM

Damage caused by Hurricane Dean - Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)


Parishes

St. Thomas: extensive damage has been reported from several communities. Significant wind damage to roofs, storm surges, flooding, collapsed structures, impassable roadways are among the many reports.

St. James: the community of Coral Gardens is severely affected by wind damage.

Kingston and St. Andrew: severe wind damage and downed power lines in the Riverton city area. Also, a fallen tree caused the collapse of a residential building in the Chambers Lane Area of Liguanea, St. Andrew.

Clarendon: flooding has been reported from the Denbigh gully.

Portland: several roadways in Port Antonio, Manchioneal, Mount James and Mount Airy in Buff Bay are blocked.

St. Mary: several roadways from Junction to Broadgate are impassable, blocked by fallen trees.

St. Catherine: storm surges have been reported along the Port Henderson road in Portmore rendering the roadway impassable along with roof damage in the communities of Naggo Head and Newland. The Newland Road is also impassable due to a fallen utility pole. Additionally, sections of the roadway have been eroded in Hellshire due to storm surges and rising water levels have been reported in Old Harbour forcing the evacuation of several persons.


Services

Telecommunications: cellular telephone lines are down in sections of Portland, St. Mary, and Clarendon and there is no communication link with St. Thomas with efforts are underway to re-establish this.

Electricity: well over 125,000 Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) customers are without power supply.

Water Supply: there have been reports of damage to water supply systems.

Source

[Xavier]

Re: Hurricane Dean

I just spoke to someone in Hope Pasture, Jamaica. Here is their report (pictures to come)

- All Houses in are fine
- Roads are fine but many trees down
- Hope Pastures seen
- Could through Papine because of a downed power line
- The drive from Hope Pastures to Norbrook was ok with all roofs fine

[Blackstar*]

Re: Hurricane Dean

<span style='font-family: Arial Black'><span style="color: #663366"><span style='font-size: 11pt'>Hurricane Dean batters Jamaica</span></span></span>
Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:50AM EDT
By Horace Helps

KINGSTON (Reuters) - A strengthening Hurricane Dean took aim at Mexico's Yucatan on Monday after battering Jamaica's southern coast, flooding its capital and littering streets with broken trees and roofs during a Caribbean rampage that has killed at least nine people.

Dean was an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane, the second-highest on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it could strengthen to a potentially catastrophic Category 5.

Carrying sustained winds of 150 miles per hour (240 km per hour), the storm was passing more than 100 miles to the south of the tiny Cayman Islands, a British territory in the western Caribbean, en route to an expected strike on the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize early Tuesday.

The hurricane's powerful core was 440 miles east of Belize City at 8 a.m. EDT, and moving westward at about 21 mph (34 kph), the hurricane center said.

"Dean is passing by to the south of the Cayman Islands. Some of the outer rain bands are on them now," hurricane center forecaster Jamie Rhome said.

"It's far enough south that they will not get the core of the hurricane, but they will get tropical storm force winds."

The fiercest winds at Dean's center passed just south of Jamaica, but most of the mountainous island was still lashed by hurricane-force winds. Sheets of rain pelted the capital of Kingston and roads were blocked by toppled trees, power poles and smashed roofs.

Jamaican authorities said 300,000 people were displaced by the storm but no casualties had been reported yet. Mudslides were reported across the island and some main roads were blocked. Electricity remained off.

At least one man was missing after falling trees tore into his house. Police said they shot and wounded two men caught trying to break into a Kingston business during the storm.

Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller declared a month-long state of emergency and called a Cabinet meeting to discuss the potential impact on August 27 general elections.

Local media reported 17 fishermen and women had been stranded on the Pedro Cays, a small island chain, directly in the path of the hurricane. There was no further word on them.

Risk modeling company EQECAT Inc. estimated insured losses from Dean's rampage through the Caribbean islands at $1.5 billion to $3 billion, most of it in Jamaica.

Source

[Pepper]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Just heard on the radio, Jamaica National is offering free money transfers this week.

[turtledude]

Re: Hurricane Dean

Just talked to a friend in roaring river. He was just outside the cave......said some trees down and roofs gone....and wind still blowing a bit.