Go-Jamaica Weather Watch

Arthur Green, Gleaner Writer

The parish of St. Thomas has suffered severe devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean.

Photo by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer: this section of the Mount Sanai main road in St. Thomas has sunk to about two and a half feet below its original level. Motorists were having a rough time navigating the rough surface before the arrival of Hurricane Dean yesterday.

Several communities, including Rio Grande, Hillside, Logan Lane, Scotland and Pomfret are currently marooned.

When The Gleaner spoke to disaster relief coordinator, Millicent Blake, she indicated people were already trying to pick up the pieces left by ‘Dean’.

As early as Sunday morning, the Rose Hill main road had seen serious erosion, and was reduced to single lane traffic. Eye witness reports indicate that presently only cars and small vans can navigate that road.

Predictably, the Yallahs Fording itself was the first to be affected by rains associated with Hurricane Dean and is now impassible.

What is most worrisome for the people of St. Thomas is the fact that the Easington area, used as an alternative to the Yallahs Fording, is only barely passable and that situation could worsen as more rain is expected within 24 hours.

 Ms. Blake said 200 persons were in shelters across the parish