| KERIL WRIGHT, Observer staff reporter kerilw@jamaicaobserver.com Friday, August 29, 2008 |
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Hundreds of residents across western Jamaica were asked to evacuate their communities yesterday as the island prepared for an onslaught from Tropical Storm Gustav, which swept across the island packing heavy rains and 70-mph winds.
Others, who up to late Wednesday evening were doubtful about the storm, were spurred into action and by mid-morning supermarkets and haberdasheries were filled with persons stocking up on last-minute supplies of food and essentials such as batteries, candles and kerosene lamps.
Those advised to evacuate included residents of Warf Road in Westmoreland, which suffered from heavy flooding from recent rains, as well as several communities across Trelawny including Salt Marsh, Zion in Martha Brae, Bottom Road in Clarks Town, Jackson Town and Wakefield.
Additionally, in Trelawny, some 62 residents along with some 26 staff members were relocated from the Infirmary to the Hague Primary School approximately five miles away. The infirmary, located along the town's western coastline, is prone to flooding from storm surges.
Similarly, officials in Hanover evacuated over 50 residents from their infirmary, which is situated along the coast in Lucea. Residents of the flood-prone seaside community of Bulls Bay were asked to be on high alert to evacuate if needed, and one family was housed at the Esher Primary School.
St James had only suffered intermittent rains up to late yesterday afternoon with the mayor, Charles Sinclair, promising yesterday that all shelters would be opened by early afternoon. Disaster officials in the parish said they had undergone a major drain-cleaning operation and was not expecting any major flooding in the downtown area, but had concerns for residents along the coast in areas such as Greenwood and Rose Hall.
All flights from the Sangster International Airport (SIA) were cancelled after 2:30 pm yesterday with airport officials advising that they would remain open until 4:00 pm for an American Airlines flight.
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