Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jamaica_dreamin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have there been any reports about the 17 people who remained on Pedro Cay Sunday? </div></div>

By patrickm on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 02:25 pm:
Got this from Radiojamaica.com.

The headline says that they've returned to land safe but the body of the article says that they are still out there. But at least they are probably safe.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/597/26/

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Persons stranded on Pedro Cays return to land safely

Tuesday, 21 August 2007

The 20 persons who remained on the Pedro Cays despite orders to evacuate are reported to be safe.

A release from the Jamaica Defence Force said the 18 men and two women had taken refuge in its Coast Guard Office.
One of the women sustained a minor injury but was treated by a JDF medic.
Prior to the hurricane's impact the JDF Coast Guard, the Met Office and the ODPEM had advised persons on the Cays to leave.
The JDF says all 20 persons are still on the Cays.
</div></div>
The fishermen /women have never once returned from those islands when asked to,and they have not had an injury as a result. the only difference now is that they have the luxory of mobile phone contact,to call and complain when they are have the usual rough experience they do whenever they stay.
They will continue to do so even if it result in injuries one of the time.
These are ablebodied adults that have the freedom to stay if they wish at their own risk,under the laws of the land,and no government have the power to forcefully remove them even for their safety.
Until th elaws change, this will continue to happen,not just there,but in all fo the island.

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

some pics

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post







courtesy of BBC
SOURCE

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management – Jamaica

Needs List

August 21, 2007

Preamble
On August 19, 2007 Hurricane Dean impacted the Island of Jamaica. The Hurricane was categorized as a powerful category 4 Hurricane that moved along the south coast from east to west before leaving Jamaica’s territorial waters. Hurricane Dean had maximum sustained winds of near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extended outward approximately 95 km (60 miles), while tropical storm force winds extended 335 km (205 miles) from the centre.

At least 230 vulnerable communities are located along the south coast where conditions associated with hurricane Dean are expected to cause intense negative impacts over the next 12 hours. These communities have been impacted by the last three major events to affect the island, Hurricanes Wilma, Emily and Ivan. These communities have a population just under 300,000 persons. Approximately 32% of this population are children under 14 years and 7% are senior citizens over 65 years old. Therefore, approximately 120,000 persons or 40% of this population can be considered to be in the vulnerable age group. These figures could be higher because coastal communities in the western section of the island have not been included.

The assumptions are that there will be responding to the needs of 15,000 families. These families are likely to be without proper roofing cover for an extended period as we move through the recovery and rehabilitation stage. As we seek to refine the numbers we are working on the assumption that there are 4 persons per family with atleast an average of two children. The items listed below will be required to support these persons and reduce the level of discomfort now being experienced.

Beyond that period we will need to also be engaged in restocking the National stores to support future preparedness and response efforts in light of the fact that we are still on the Hurricane Season and a very active part of it. Hence the real estimates of related resources will need to be in the region of 60,000 families. Below are the items necessary for current responses to the situation resulting from the impact of Hurricane Dean and also to ensure that there are adequate reserves in place should there be future threats. These items will be required in quantities necessary to support the needs of 60,000 families.

Please also see attached Specialized Shelter Kits which also be required to facilitate propositioning within shelters once activated. Minimum requirements are for 250 Shelters.

Relief Supplies
DESCRIPTION
Plastic Sheeting
Bath Towels
Blankets -Adults
Tarpaulins
Heavy Duty Roof Tarpaulin
Gas Stove 2- Burner (LPG)
Water Containers – Individuals and Family Sizes
Sleeping Mats
Bed Sheets
Children Blankets
Drinking Cups – Plastic Type
Dinner Plates - Plastic
Bath Soap
Hygiene Kits
First Aid Kits
Lanterns - Battery
Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)
Pillows
Sleeping Cots
Inflatable Mattress
Wash Rags
Generators
Flashlights

Hurricane Dean Needs List
DESCRIPTION
Children Toys (Assorted)
Children Reading Books
Agricultural Tools
Roofing Materials
Toilet Tissues
Baby Diapers
Baby Wipes
Adults Diapers
Sanitary Napkins
Bottled Water
Batteries – A, AAA, C, D
Cellular Phones – (for field workers)
Clothing - Children
Clothing - Adults
Portable Radios
Lap Top Computers (for Logistics Unit)

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, JAMAICA

PRIORITY NEEDS LIST – AUGUST 20, 2007
QUANTITY ITEM REMARKS
50 drums Malathion 95%
25,000 litres Anvil 2+2 (Synthetic pyrethroid)
200 bags Abate

* 100 bags 5% skeeter
* 100 bags 2% skeeter


50 Fogging Machines
50 Spray Pumps (hand operated, pressurized, 14 litres up)
5 ULV Machines
50 bags Altosid (methoprene) 20 – 30 kilos
100 Comparators
300 pails Rodenticide 10kg
30 Flaming Lamps
100 Coliform Kits
50 Portable turbidity meters
50 Portable pH conductivity meters
50 DPD Free Chlorine Reagent
2,000 Collapsible water tanks (5 – 10 gallons)
15 4WD double cab pick-ups
17 4WD Estate vehicles – heavy duty all-terrain

10,000 bottles – 1 qt

5,000 bottles – 1 gallon
Bleach - 1 qt / 1 gal

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Over 1.5 million Digicel customers making & receiving calls

August 21, 2007 - Kingston Jamaica

Digicel CEO David Hall has advised that over 1.5 million of the network’s customers are now able to make and receive calls across all 14 parishes. Mr. Hall indicated that throughout hurricane Dean, over 1.2m subscribers or 70%, were able to make calls to friends and family across the island and even internationally.

“I am glad to report that within 24 hours we were able to have sites operational in all 14 parishes,” he said. “ as of today, within 48 hours we are able to provide service to over 1.5 million subscribers, maintaining our role as a vital essential service to the Jamaican community.”

The Digicel CEO also indicated that the hardest hit parish of St. Thomas has had sites returned to operation as early as the Monday after Dean – the first network to be able to do so. However, he acknowledged that this parish is the company’s biggest challenge and he will not be satisfied until all these sites are back on air within the shortest possible time. He commended “the incredible efforts of the company’s technical and crisis management teams, particularly the engineers who have been clearing roads all day.” He explained that they had been airlifted into the parish by helicopter at 5 am Tuesday morning to install needed equipment.

David Hall further added that with the Digicel stores identified in each parish for customers to recharge their phones as well as the ‘Digi-truck’ with an on-board generator that will be going from community to community, the customer experience will continue to improve – removing access to telecommunications as a concern after hurricane Dean.

Mr. Hall expressed his deepest sympathies to all that have lost loved ones or property and pleaded for the country to now work together in restoring what had been lost.

Contact: Patria-Kaye Aarons, Digicel – 876-381-5876
Shasta Saulter, PROComm – 876-851-6499

[SistahD]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Message for Jamaican Canadians, from Her Excellency, Evadne Coye, High Commissioner for Jamaica to Canada...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
IMPACT OF HURRICANE DEAN ON JAMAICA

The Most Hon. Prime Minister and her Cabinet met yesterday to consider the impact of hurricane Dean on the island. A report of that meeting should be received later today.

At this point, the informal information gathered from telephone calls to Jamaica and from the news media, both Jamaican and international, is the following:

· Only two hurricane-linked deaths confirmed;

· Much damage to Palisadoes Road, resulting in the restricted functioning of the Norman Manley International Airport;

· The Sangster International Airport is fully operational;

· Electrical power is still off island-wide. It was deliberately cut by the JPS to spare the electricity grid from serious damage. However, many utility poles are down and it will therefore take some time before power is restored across the island;

· Much damage to houses (roofs blown away, or damage from falling trees) particularly on the south coast, including in Kingston;

· All hospitals are operating, though they are only admitting emergency cases;

· The agricultural industry has been badly hit; the extent of damages will be known- hopefully by next week;

· Road damages are being assessed, but many roads were blocked by falling trees, utility poles and landslides;

· The MHPM requested the Governor General to declare a State of Emergency and that proclamation was issued by him, under Section 26 of the Constitution. The period, under the Constitution, is for thirty days and began last night. The State of Emergency can be ended at any moment within that period and therefore, will be under constant review by the MHPM and her Cabinet;

· The date of the general elections which had been set for 27 August, could be changed, in which regard the Governor General, acting on advice of the Electoral Commission, is expected to make an announcement today;

· About 200,000 persons are either displaced or homeless at this time, most being poor families on the south coast;

· Some 5,000 persons are in the government-established shelters;

· No appeal for international aid has yet been launched, since we await the results of the initial assessment by Cabinet, but it is clear that assistance will be needed.


Jamaican communities overseas will want to provide support for relief and reconstruction, in which regard monetary contributions would be advisable. The various community organizations across Canada should collaborate with the Jamaican official representatives (High Commission, Consul General, and Honorary Consuls) as usual, to ensure the most effective means of achieving their common objective.

It should be noted, however, that if a receipt is required for tax purposes, neither these official representatives are not authorized under Canadian law, to issue it. In this case community associations with the appropriate tax registration as charitable institutions, should be the recipient of these donations, which should be clearly identified as “Hurricane Dean fund”.

One such organization which actually spans Canada, is the “National Institute of Jamaican Canadians” whose banking details are:

CIBC, Carlingwood Branch (Ottawa)
Transit number: 00206
Account number: 69-06915

Where a receipt for tax purposes is not essential, cheques may be mailed directly to the High Commission, or lodgements may be made to the following account:

HC for Jamaica- Jamaica National Disaster relief
Royal Bank of Canada – 99 Bank Street, Ottawa
Transit number: 00236
Account number: 101-472-9

The High Commission will seek to update this information on a timely basis.

Jamaican High Commission
Ottawa

21 August, 2007

</div></div>

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Power is back in Kingston and I am now getting some pictures.

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE #17
ISSUED ON: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 6:45 p.m.

RESTORATION OF CONTRY’S ELECTRICITY POST-HURRICANE DEAN

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo.) that it is committed to restoring electricity to most of its customers by the end of the week. Phased restoration has commenced, starting with essential services such as hospitals, airports etc.

Areas likely to receive power supply today, August 21 are:

1. Kingston & St. Andrew: West Kings House Road, New Kingston, essential services and customers within close vicinity of Children’s hospital, National Chest Hospital, University Hospital.
2. St. James: Rose Hall, Coral Gardens, Ironshore, Whitehouse, Flankers, Lilliput.
3. Hanover: Negril and surrounding areas
4. Trelawny: Falmouth, Duncans and surrounding areas

As damage assessment continues, the JPSCo. will be better able to give an indication of full restoration.

Meanwhile, the ODPEM urges the public:
1. Do not touch loose, dangling or fallen power lines or try to move it yourself. You could be electrocuted if the line is still energized. Report these immediately to the JPSCo. or contact the police.
1. Do not burn debris under power lines.
2. If using a portable generator, plug appliances directly into the generator. Use extension cords where necessary. Place the portable generator outside the house so the generator gets proper ventilation. Always turn off the generator when refueling.

Members of the public are also urged to desist from any activities that may hinder the work of the JPSCo. in restoring the country’s power supply.

[Xavier]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE #18
ISSUED ON: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 7:15 p.m.

POST-HURRICANE DEAN CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES CONTINUES

The following are current reports from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) of the impact of Hurricane Dean on Jamaica:

Casualties

To date the ODPEM has confirmed that two persons died as a result of Hurricane Dean:

- One person died in Clarendon as a result of injuries sustained from a collapsed roof.
- A 14-year-old girl from Whitehorses, St. Thomas, died from injuries sustained from rock damage to her home.

Blocked Roads

The National Works Agency (NWA) is reporting that Hurricane Dean affected a total of 248 roads.

In the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) 10 roads are blocked, including one that is flooded and one reduced to single lane traffic:

- St. Andrew: 14 road sections blocked (East Rural/Papine Gordon Town)
- St. Catherine: 43 roads blocked and eight reduced to single lane traffic.

In the Western Region (St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny) eight roads blocked while another eight roads reduced to single lane traffic.

In the Northeastern region 110 roads were affected while 39 were fully blocked.

Cleared Roads

- Kingston: six cleared, including Camp Road and Harbour View to the Norman Manley International Airport.

- St. Andrew: 18 cleared single-lane; one fully cleared

- St. Catherine: 2 cleared.

Cellular Communication

Cellular communication remains down in sections of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and sections of Trelawny and St. Thomas. Digicel continues to work on realigning antennas in affected parishes and refuel power generators.

Airports

Both international airports – Norman Manley International Airport and Donald Sangster International Airport - are now operational. Norman Manley International Airport is now accessible.





Health

The Ministry of Health, through their Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), continues to monitor the health sector across the island. There have been preliminary reports of damage to health facilities.

Shelter Updates

A total of 167 shelters are now opened across the island, housing some 3,478 persons. This number is expected to decrease as persons return to their respective homes.

The ODPEM will continue to provide the country with further updates as they become available

[SandiF]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Heard from our cousin in New Gardens St.Andrew...he lost the roof off his house. The coffee crop which was just making a come back since Hurr.Ivan totally mash up again. His citrus and cocoa crop mash up. He's gotten back his light though but he sounded weary. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img]

Heard from uncle in Williamsfield and he's okay. Fi him house made to withstand hurricane...it is a circular house. Said his business place in Mandeville okay.

No word from Portland up in Fruitful Vale and still not able to get through. Uncle in Mandeville said he hasn't heard from them either and plan to go up there on the weekend. Just hoping all is safe and keeping eye on news about Fruiful vale...the swift river is prone to overflowing and up there hilly and tend to have landslides.

Everyone else in Kingston/St.Catherine way are okay.

[Blackstar*]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Thanks for the update, jamaica_dreamin.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jamaica_dreamin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have there been any reports about the 17 people who remained on Pedro Cay Sunday? </div></div>

By patrickm on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 02:25 pm:
Got this from Radiojamaica.com.

The headline says that they've returned to land safe but the body of the article says that they are still out there. But at least they are probably safe.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/597/26/ </div></div>

[esp]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post

Some more pics.



Main Road to Norman Manley Intl. Airport.

[esp]

Re: Jamaica - Hurricane Dean Post