Jamaicans began feeling the earliest effects of Hurricane Ivan late last night as the most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in more than 10 years neared the island.
By Trudy SimpsonThe Hurricane watch posted for the island on Tuesday was upgraded to a Hurricane Warn-ing yesterday as Ivan, packing winds of more than 160 miles per hour, raced towards the island, sending thousands scampering to make last minute preparations.
Many supermarkets and gas stations had run out of basic supplies by early afternoon, while tourists tried to catch last minute flights out of the country.
Air Jamaica has cancelled all flights in and out of the country and all inter-island flights today.
All aircraft were ferried out of Kingston and Montego Bay to the United States last night until the hurricane passes. The airline has advised that if there is no major damage to the island's two international airports, and the authorities feel it is safe to re-open them it will resume some flights on schedule tomorrow while others will be cancelled.
CATEGORY FOUR
Yesterday afternoon Hurricane Ivan, which was downgraded from category five to a high category four, was located 565 km southeast of Kingston and was travelling west north west at 24 km per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service. The eye of the hurricane is expected to pass over the island at noon today. Forecasters estimate that the hurricane may fluctuate between categories four and five.
Dr. Barbara Carby, director-general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) said international donor agencies had already been contacted to provide needed relief supplies and assistance to Jamaica should the need arise following the hurricane.
She said yesterday that officials met with and briefed international donor agencies on Wednesday, the same day the National Disaster Response Team activated various emergency and disaster plans islandwide.
Emergency shelters have been opened, businesses, schools and government offices are closed and the ODPEM has urged marine interests to come in from sea, secure their boats and head for higher ground. Persons living in low-lying, flood prone and other coastal areas were asked to make preparations for evacuation or to leave their homes for inland areas.
In light of the expected strength of Hurricane Ivan, the ODPEM is urging the public to stay indoors during and after the storm and to monitor radios and other forms of media for updates.
"When the hurricane is passing, they must stay inside and even when the eye is over us, they should still stay inside. If they need assistance, they should contact the parish council offices (in their parish) or the parish disaster committee numbers. After the Hurricane, they should stay inside and not go anywhere until the all clear is issued," Dr. Carby said.
The all clear means that persons can go about their daily business. Dr. Carby urged members of the public not to make unnecessary phone calls in order to leave the communication lines clear for emergency personnel. The numbers for the parish disasters co-ordinators are:
Kingston
St. Andrew: 967-3329
Clarendon: 986-2216
Hanover: 956-2236/2305
Manchester: 962-2270-9;
Portland: 993-2665/2765
St. Ann: 972-1942
St. Catherine: 984 - 3111-2/4051
St. Elizabeth: 634-0768
St. James: 952-5500-2
St. Mary: 994-2178/2212/2648
St. Thomas: 982-9449/2276
Trelawny: 954-3228/4838
W'land: 955-2655/2798.
Persons may also call the ODPEM at 928-5111 or call 119 or 110 for help. Persons can also get hurricane updates by dialling 116.
