Sunday, August 19th, 2007...10:21 pm
‘Dean’ batters Portland
Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
Hurricane Dean unleashed devastation on Portland, damaging dozens of houses, destroying livestock, and forcing many persons into disaster shelters.
The Manchioneal area was the scene for some of this category four hurricane’s fury. Within an hour after winds began to increase, 16 houses had already lost their roofs.
Even more scary than that was the ordeal personnel at the Manchioneal Police Station had to undergo, as they were left stranded after storm surges belted the tiny road between their office and the rest of Portland. Dozens of residents from Manchioneal were forced to evacuate to a shelter at the Manchioneal Primary School.
Other persons in that community, who had earlier ignored an appeal to evacuate, were forced to do so because of torrential rains and high winds.
Denise Louise, Parish coordinator of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), pointed out that relief supplies were distributed to all emergency shelters in the parish, as residents poured into the various shelters.
“We have distributed mattresses and other bedding equipment, flash lights, quantities of food, water and other supplies to the shelters,” said Louise.
“Shelter managers are presently manning the 80 emergency shelters, which were activated early yesterday after it became clear the threat posed by the hurricane was at hand,” added Louise.
Sections of Manchioneal and Long Bay are now impassable to vehicular traffic, as several trees fell, blocking the roadway leading from Priest Man’s River, extending to Manchioneal and beyond.
There were also reports that the Hector’s River main road is blocked.
In West Portland some residents of Swift River, Cascade, Hope Bay, Rock Hall, and St. Margaret’s Bay were also forced to evacuate homes and made their way to various government schools, which are being used as emergency shelters.
As conditions worsened the general feeling among residents is that their worst fear has been transformed into reality, as Hurricane Dean not only entered the shores of the island, but created widescale damage in every section of the parish.
30 Comments
August 19th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Your blog is keeping the rest of the world informed, keep up the good work Gleaner.
August 19th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I am looking for any information pertaining to one Leonora Buckley & family of St. Margarets Bay. She is otherwise known as Mama Buckley
Anyone with information can contact me at the above address.
August 19th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
TDM, St. Margaret’s is near Port Antonio, on the north coast, H-3 on the map below:
http://www.jamaicancaves.org/jamaica-road-map.htm
I am sure they have electric and communications problems there, but am not aware of severe wind/flood problems up there.
August 19th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
May the storm pass quickly. My thoughts are with you from Canada. Jamaica and the Jamaican people left me with a lifetime of warm memories and faith in the spirit of people to survive - no matter what strife may come your way.
Thank you for these updates. May you all stay safe.
August 19th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
TDM, Power106 is reporting that they have heard that they have not heard that anyone in Jamaica has lost his or her life and that God has spared everyone so far with the exception of downed power lines and the like. My prayers for your loved ones and everyone else affected by Dean.
August 20th, 2007 at 12:57 am
My son is on vacation in Jamaica right now. He is staying in Portmore. The only thing keeping me calm down here in Toronto Canada is the updates I am getting from here. Thank you so much for keeping us informed. My thoughts and prayers are with every one in Jamaica.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I have been following every developments of the huricane for the past 12 hours. I am saddened that the fury of Dean has unleashed on my beloved community- Manchioneal Portland and to my country people all across the island. We are strong people and all we should pray for is life. Nature has to proceed but i pray with you that lives will be spared and as we are so strong- we WILL rebuild. My prayers go up with yours. Stay strong. Thinking of you from Sydney, Australia.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:43 am
any one know anything of the garwood family are allen in st margarets bay please get back to me at my email carlbrown8@hotmail.com
August 20th, 2007 at 1:50 am
blessings prayers and great love to my beloved of Brothers United, Mt. Olivet Boys, Copse Boys, St Augustine Boys, Windsor kids, the boys and girls of West Haven, Manchester Infirmary, the babies at New Hope, Ridgemount United, Generations Church, Bosco, Hanbury, Manda and family Andy and family. we stand with you.
Love, c
August 20th, 2007 at 5:10 am
CNN has reported that the storm has passed over Jamaica with no loss of life
August 20th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Praying….knowing?? Does ANYone know how the Phillips family is, Ma Lil,Sister Blossom,and Walter Phillips?? Our prayers are with you.
Lovingly, Kathy Ashlei and Tammi xo
They live in Port Antonio.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Dear fellow Jamaicans, I am praying that the Lord will have mercy on you all still living on the Island in the wake of Hurricane Dean. I know that the storms will come and not only will they devastate our lives, but they also make us feel a little discouraged, but do not be. God never promised that we would never experience situations like these, as a matter of fact He warned us in His words that we will see so much more of this, in the last days. My people, please see these things as warnings for us to braek up our folly ground, look up for the end is so much closer than we can even imagine. God will never leave us or forsake us in any storm, whether they life’s storms or hurricanes.
Do not dispear, just hold on to God’s loving arms.
See this as an oppertunity to get just a little closer to Him.
My family and I are praying for you.
Blessings, Peace and love to all from us in Canada.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Anyone who knows Mr Colin Anderson aka Tetsy form Black Rock Portland, please get in touch with me at the above address.
Thank you.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:42 am
I am anxious to know of how the people in Port Antonio are doing. I need to hear from my family and friends there. We have not been able to communicate. I need to find my sister Maureen. Maureen please let us know that you are okay.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I am anxious to know of how the people in Port Antonio are doing. I need to find my sister Maureen. Maureen please let us know that you are okay.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I hope that everyone in Jamaica is safe.
Hang in there, don’t give up hope.
To my relatives in St. Thomas and all over the Island
I send my best regard. May God protect you and help you all.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:21 am
My family is in Portland and I have had no contact with them since yesterday as Dean was just beginning. I am so worried. If anyone has information or knows anyone in the Belle Castle area, I need to know if Richard (aka “Joe”) Reid and the Afflick family are OK. Email me at tgoodell99@aol.com with any information.
God’s blessings on everyone in Jamaica who suffered from this devastating hurricane and their worried loved ones.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:40 am
thanks all for the info on portie
mr Gareth Davis ( kojack) well written as usual
keep up the good work
August 20th, 2007 at 9:54 am
The good lord has spared this country of the worse. This really shows that prayer does work. My Jamaican people, stay strong. You are all bless to be in such a blessed country and remember the lord doesn’t give us more than we can handle. Thank you Gleaner, for keeping us informed, keep up the good work.
Bless!!!!!!!!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 10:32 am
For the past twele (12) hours Ihave been trying to contact my family and loved ones in Jamaica.
My thoughts and my prayers go out to all of my people and I ask for God’s blessing and protection over their lives.
Bless All.
Bertram Thompson
August 20th, 2007 at 10:35 am
For the past twele (12) hours I have been trying to contact my family and loved ones in Jamaica… no luck.
My thoughts and my prayers go out to all of my people and I ask for God’s blessing and protection over their lives.
Bless All.
Bertram Thompson
August 20th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
They need help! i have an open ticket to go to ja, would like to take supplies flashlights, batteries, blankets, first aide, & etc. drop me an email at nappyrootswoman@hotmail.com if you can help spread the word about the cause.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Blessed love to all if any who read this…was in chicago on the weekend at the 1st annual caribbean festival and was filled with upliftment and feel led to act.
August 20th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
A devastating hurricane with no loss of life to the present time..?? To God be the glory!
Nuff respect to the Disaster Preparedness team members in each parish! It is good to know that many people made use of the shelters.
August 20th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Deep within I know that the resolve and the resilience of the Jamaican people will come to the fore and sustain us in this time of crisis. Leaning on each other is a coping strategy that will take us very far. Let us put away vanity and selfishness if it exists, and we will pull through.
May all my associates at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) continue to be strong!! Sincerely wished: Dean Lamey
August 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I’m thankful that my inlaws living in Manchioneal were in the states when this storm passed thru… my thoughts & prayers are with the people in Jamaica….
August 21st, 2007 at 7:54 am
For Orange Bay I have heard notting, Dont know What have happen to this community. Am so worried.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:29 pm
TO EVERY ONE HERE WHO HAVE PEOPLE IN PORTLAND DONT WORRY PORTLAND IS SAFE I AM FROM ST MARGARETS BAY AND ITS ALL GOOD NEWS SO THANK GOD PROTLAND JAMAICA IS SAFE
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
We’re happy to hear that the Portland region is quite safe.
We hope so much that all our beloved friends in Jamaica are doing well and they hopefully haven’t had any damage to their lives and their homes.
May The Lord bless you all - our thoughts are with you all day and night. We hope to hear from you soon - dont’ give up and don’t loose hope, there’ll always be a way through -
lots of love - Bea
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Has anyone heard anything about Port Antonio. I am planning on staying at Zion Country Cottages but havent heard anything about the condition of the place.
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