Ja spared catastrophic damage
By John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter
Jamaica was spared catastrophic damage, but registered five deaths from
the effects of Hurricane Ivan which, at the last minute, veered westward,
avoiding a
direct hit with the island on Friday night as anticipated.
The centre of the hurricane stayed over the seas as the powerful weather
system made its way toward the Cayman Islands, travelling in a northwesterly
direction at a speed of about 11 kilometres an hour. A hurricane warning
has been issued for the Cayman Islands.
Jamaica continues to be affected by strong gusty winds and very heavy
rainfall which has resulted in flooding and infrastructural damage to
buildings
and homes. The National Meteorological Service said a hurricane warning
remains in effect for Jamaica and warned that the island would continue
to experience
"dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously highwater
and exceptionally high waves." The hurricane is expected to move
west of Jamaica by
this evening.
Hurricane Ivan, the most dangerous hurricane to hit the Caribbean in
sixteen years since Hurricane Gilbert in September, 1988, is travelling
at maximum
sustained wind speeds of 240 kilometres an hour. Hurricane force winds
extend outward up to 75 kilometres from the centre, while tropical storm
force winds
extend an extra 205 kilometres from the centre.
In the meantime, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
(ODPEM), said it was experiencing difficulties delivering essential food
supplies to shelters established across the island in light of hurricane
conditions that are still affecting the island.
The ODPEM reported that approximately 10,000 people are currently being
housed in shelters across the island, the parish of St. Thomas accounting
for
the largest amount. The disaster relief agency said road crews will be
dispatched in order to provide access to emergency medical care. Parish
welfare
committees will establish registration centre for persons who have suffered
damage.
|