Monday, August 20th, 2007...1:42 pm
After the storm … returning to normal
Daraine Luton, Gleaner Staff Reporter
Jamaicans awoke today to scenes of destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, which tore through sections of the island last night and claimed at least one life in Manchester.
Photo by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer: damage caused to a house in Central Kingston by a tree that was felled by Hurricane Dean on Sunday.
The police also reported two deaths but could not yet confirm they were related to the hurricane, while there were claims that an elderly man was killed in Golden Spring, St. Andrew when a house collapsed last night.
The category four storm however spared the nation the full extent of its wrath as its centre passed some 50 miles of the south coast after threatening a direct hit as it barrelled towards the island on the weekend.
Ronald Jackson, Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), told The Gleaner this morning that the eastern parish of St. Thomas was the hardest hit.
Communication with that parish as well as St. Elizabeth has been difficult as telephone networks have gone down and some roads are impassable.
Meanwhile, reports of looting prompted Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to last night advise that a state of public emergency had been declared for the island.
“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,” said the Prime Minister in a statement read by Huntley Medley, Executive Director of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
“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,” she said.
Under the decree, the security forces are given wider powers to deal with criminal elements. The Government will review the state of emergency this afternoon when Mrs. Simpson Miller meets with her Cabinet.
This is the second time in three years that a state of public emergency has been announced. Just before the arrival of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson declared a state of public emergency in light of the expected severity of that storm. At that time, then Opposition Leader Edward Seaga criticised the Prime Minister, arguing that the move was “a premature act that is taken in panic”.
Similarly, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on justice Delroy Chuck last night said he had not heard any reports to suggest a state of emergency was justified, but opted to wait until receiving further reports today before coming to any conclusions.
Reports out of Mandeville, Manchester, are that a man was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was lifted and thrown against a utility pole by strong winds.
This morning Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mark Shields said two bodies were found in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, but could not say whether they were casualties of the hurricane.
The hurricane’s wind speed was measured at 63 miles per hour at the Meteorological Services of Jamaica at the Norman Manley International Airport before its equipment failed. There are unofficial reports of wind speeds reaching more that 100mph.
The storm, which headed further south, sparing the Cayman Islands, has been so far blamed for at least seven deaths in the Caribbean.
The ODPEM said it was too early to estimate the impact of damage cause by the storm.
Mr. Jackson said this morning that, although it was still early days, “it looks better than what we saw in Hurricane Ivan”.
Nineteen people died during Ivan in 2004, a powerful Category four storm which, like Dean, did not make a direct hit on Jamaica. Eight of those persons drowned in the flood prone community of Portland Cottage in Clarendon, from where residents were ordered out when Dean threatened.
“We have seen more of roof damage and fallen trees and less of landslides and floodings,” Mr. Jackson told The Gleaner.
Just over 5,000 persons sought refuge in approximately 231 shelters across the island.
Up to press time this morning, the ODPEM said it was trying to get information out of all 14 parishes but was experiencing glitches as communication lines had gone down.
Stephen Shaw, communications director at the National Works Agency (NWA), said his agency has not been able to make contact with most parishes. Mr. Shaw added however that many roadways in St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland have been affected.
Across the island. power lines were down and light poles crashed to the ground under the hurricane’s fury. Many of the light poles revealed a lack of maintenance as they were rotting at the base. Many trees were down by the heavy rains and roofs flew through the air. Advertising billboards and signs and sections of buildings flattened.
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) was forced to turn off electricity.
Winsome Callum, corporate communications manager at the light and power company, said it could take “a couple of days” before power is restored in some areas.
“The JPS’s first priority after the hurricane is to carry out damage assessment,” the JPS said in a release. “The main focus must first be to identify and fix damage to our power plants and main transmission lines, because without these systems customers cannot get electricity.”
The JPS said once this phase of repair is completed, electricity will first be restored to the main lines that provide electricity to essential services such as hospitals, airports, communication systems, and water supply facilities.
Meanwhile Charles Buchanan, communications manager at the National Water Commission (NWC) said all of the 460 water supply systems serving the island had been affected by either the absence of power, damage to infrastructure or high terbidility levels in the water caused by mud entering the water supply.
Mr. Buchanan said it was too early to say how extensive damage to the system was but noted that essential areas such as hospitals and health centres will be given priority as the NWC does restoration work.
By mid-afternoon on Sunday, many Jamaicans seemed to have yielded to the warning that the storm was coming and opted to stay indoors. However, several others were up until the last minute trying to get a glimpse of the onslaught that was to come.
In the eastern end of the island, for example, numerous persons were seen watching the powerful waves beat the shoreline.
The last time Jamaica suffered a direct hit from a hurricane was in September 1988 when Gilbert, a category three storm ravaged the country, killing about 45 people.
Gilbert was the most severe hurricane to hit Jamaica since Hurricane Charlie in 1951. It destroyed crops, buildings, houses and roads and even turned small aircraft into shambles.
In 2005 hurricanes Dennis and Emily lashed the island with winds and rainfall but neither were as catastrophic as Ivan.
Feedback: daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
22 Comments
August 20th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Powerful imagery of the guinep tree versus the house in Central Kingston.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
It is times like these when the government should step up and take action. Like, cutting big trees that might fall and hurt or even worse kill someone.
Now people should really think hard about who they voting for. 18 years and still trees falling into houses!!!We need to change course.
August 20th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I agree with Marsha, 100%.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I am a missionary who works in St. Eliz. I am in the states currently. I can’t get any information about Lover’s Leap or Yardley Chase. Does anyone know anything? Thanks. aunt elaine
August 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
The Gov, The Gov, The Gov… why should the gov take resposibility for a tree that may damage your house, why cant you take responsibility for your own investment… dont let personal responsibilty become a gov resposibility and then twist it in a political issue.
Yes we need to change course and each one of us need to say..”its what I can do for my country and not necessarily what my country can do for me”
Marsha and “I agree with Marsha 100%” go run for politics
August 20th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Aw,Marsha,Jamaica has proven again that we are not a nation who prevents or maintains anything.We only act after the fact.One would have thought being in the Caribbean where hurricanes are inevitable and with the weather being as weird as it has become over the years,that we would have even had the sense to do something about the reef out at sea by the Palisadoes strip or even a retainer wall for the communities out that area.Wouldn’t that be paramount?I guess not.3 years later and nothing has been done.Let’s all just hope that we don’t get any more hurricanes for the season because we have,what,2 more months to go?We always wait until things become crisis proportion before we act.What can I say???
August 20th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I am looking for information about Dean’s impact on Hagley Gap and surrounding communities…please share what you know!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Dag. the hurricane just passed. Why do we blame the government for everything? Do you blame the American government for the floods in Oklahoma as well?
It was a HURRICANE. When hurricanes come, trees WILL fall. If there’s a house in the way, guess what? the tree’s GONNA FALL on it…
August 20th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I noticed you had linked us, just thought I’d let you know we had a little hiccup, but everything is up and running again. Thanks for the link.
http://www.hurricanedeanblog.com/
August 20th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Yes Marsha & Sybrandt would have cut down the man guinep tree ! have they considered how helpful the little money that man made from selling the guinep from the tree overb the years may have been . in fact it may have even contributed to building the very house the tree fell on !
August 21st, 2007 at 4:34 am
hello everyone, it was nice to know that we did not get a hard hit from dean , but we within the people should not just blame the prime minister only for not doing this and not doing that, we should be able to come togather as one and help out OUR country. Remeber our motto out of many one people, waiting for them we will not get anything done. Let get up and help each other and show them that we dont need them we can help ourself.
good luck.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:42 am
Hi Aunt Elain. I am living in FL but I am originally from Junction in St. Elizabeth. I lost a schoolmate of mine who lived in the housing scheme in Malverne. She died when her window blew out and a missile hit her in the chest. She also teaches at Junction School. I am praying for everyone. God bless.
Chinny
August 21st, 2007 at 7:42 am
How are things in Linstead and at Overcomers Holiness Mission, my daughter and friends are there. We are from Pennsylvania - USA . Please let me know, I can’t reach her.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:16 am
Could anyone tell me, when can we expect power supply and water supply back to places in Eastern parishes. I cant find news about it anywhere.I am from India and my loved ones are there.I am glad that the hurricane eye passed along the coast.may GOD bless you all.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:18 am
I’m a spanish tourist who flies to Jamaica next Monday. Here, in the travel agency, they say nothing about what have happened there and I’m not sure of going or not. I go to Negril for a week. Could anyone tell me anything about? Thanks very much.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:23 am
We do need to stand up and take action but it’s not a political thing.
Marsha & Sybrandt, IF you cut down trees you are contributing to deforestation which has it’s own devastating weather effects. Consider that the poor tree was there possibly hundreds of years before that man came and decided to put his house close to it. We Jamaicans have a way of putting ourselves in the path of danger and a large percent of the time it is always a “me, me, me” attitude then when something happens we tend to want to blame someone else. Look at how many houses, shacks and mansions that are right next to a main road, not even sidewalk can build or widening the road so people can walk safe ….. can take place.., or built on the beach where we KNOW it’s going to flood ….. and we WON’T move after it mash up one or two time either, or pon de sid a hill top that defies gravity … see it?
Good point on maintenance too … light poles falling over because they are rotten in the bases. We have all these youths walking around getting into trouble …. Maybe we could make inspectors out of them for things like these so we improve the infrastructure.
Proactive, not Reactive ……. that is what it will take. But people helping people, not government, will be the way get it going and government WILL notice.
On love!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I read all the mail everyone send and I am so ashame of my people behaviour. Blaming the government for the devastation of the Island, that happened by the hands of God. If everyone could remember, how bless the land of Jamaica was. It’s time we all wake up and see that God is not pleased with his people’s behaviour. There is too much blood shed, the earth is crying out with all the innocent blood. Let us give thanks unto God, that the eye of “Hurrican Dean” did not hit the Island. For the lives that are saved, you have a second chance to rebuild, what has been lost. It’s going to take time and money. Many don’t have a job, but you are still bless. Where there is life, there is hope. Thank God for small mercies.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I know that St. Thomas is out of communication, if anyone knows any information about White Horses, please respond. I spoke with my Grandma, Sunday morning before they cut power supply and i have not heard anything, from her.
please share whatever info is available. Thank-u
August 21st, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Javi,with respect to your inquiry regarding what is taking place in Negril, Jamaica as a consequence of Hurricane Dean. I will suggest that you communicate with the Jamaica Tourist Board(JTB), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) http://www.jhta.org/ or the hotel that you planned to stay at in Negril.One of these organizations should be able to apprise you accordingly as to what transpired in Negril,and what the general conditions are like before you take your trip.Wishing you the best. RESPECT!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:01 am
What is all this nonsense I hear some of you people talking about? Like cutting down the trees will lead to deforestation and that it was the government fall the trees fell down on your houses. Let me tell you all something, nothing is the government’s fault because the government don’t live at your house so therefore they shouldn’t have to cut down your trees for you. You should be smart enough to know that hurricane comes with lot of wind and that means danger. So if you want to protect yourselves and your families what do you do? Wait on the government? See this is one of the main reason why Jamaica is the way it is today, because you people depend on the government too much.
Now this issue about cutting down the trees is a cause of deforestation. Can I ask you a question? Aren’t most of the trees gone now? So what point were you trying to make because cutting down the trees is a way to prevent anything fatal from happening.
Even though I am living in the States now, I witnessed both Ivan, Denis and Lilly and every damaged that was caused couldn’t be prevented by the government because they cannot stop mother nature from working. This is God’s work. “MAN A REIGN EVERYDAY SUH NOW A GOD TIME FI REIGN”
All I have to say to my fellow Jamaicans is to be safe, may God bless and keep you all and STOP DEPEND PAN DI GOVERNMENT”
August 31st, 2007 at 11:11 pm
What i cant understand with these people in jamaica everything they blame the government for there lawless living .As for hurricane dean . All these people that are crying about government , they capture the government unused lands that are known to disaster repeatedly and when the disaster struck and distroy there shocks they call on government to assist them in places that not even animal nore insects should be. I think both and all government try to help these people to help but as you know jamaican people full of pride They just like to sit all day and listen to the talk show like wilmot dutty perkins sitting there cursing goverments . All the people want free lands but them dont want to buy it .I am asking whitch ever government that take powers monday to bulldose them off there lands and let them sign up at the NHT office for an house and a back yard and must produce a land title and it must be approved ,to place an house on that piece of land .Land must be inspected before by the NHT and the government agency before the owner can even think of putting a bag of sand on that piece of land. These people are living in some difficult places that the NWA, NWC JPS and C&W cant reach but yet still they want fast service like they living on the side of washinton blvd. Come on people get yourself together and your act Blame yourself to be living in difficult places and cant get the speedy help that you are to get and entitle to and stop blame the government for your nasty act . Sign up for for an NHT house so you can blame the government if your home has a fault .I cant be ,nore no one can be sorry for you all for your little hide out shock and your poorness , But if stone love is playing in your area you will be wearing a $100 000 shoes and cloth to that show and get up in the morning cursing government to give you freeness.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:26 pm
STOP BLAMING GOVERNMENT FOR THE LAWLESSNESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY . such as trowing garbage in the gullies that block drains.STOP BLAMING GOVERNMENT FOR YOU TO BE LIVING LIKE PIGS ON A FARM IN WOODED SHOCK. living under zink and card board , living in difficult areas that mankind shouldnt have been . GO SIGN UP LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW YOU THAT YOU REALY EXISTED. GO SEEK HELP AT THERE OFFICES NOT ON TALK SHOW OR ON TELEPHONE . GO SIT WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THERE OFFICES IN NEW KINGSTON OR DOWN TOWN OFFECES THEY WANT YOU TO COME TALK TO THEM TALK SHOW HOST LIKE MUTTY PERKINGS CANT HELP . YOU WILL NEVER OWN A HOME LISTENING TO PERKINGS.
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