Jamaica Hurricane Update

Kudos to Jamaica Radio - Power 106 FM in Kingston for broadcasting live over the Internet during Hurricane Dean.  

Locals and people from all over the world called in all night in an attempt to find relatives, along with the latest news. So many people expressed their gratitude for the wonderful, professional job the radio announcers did throughout the evening. This system has had me jittery for days, so it was great to listen in to what was really going on in Jamaica.

Also storm chaser Jim Edds is on the island, and will provide live video updates.

Thank God Jamaica was spared a direct hit, however they are certainly not out of the hurricanes grip. As I'm writing the island is still experiencing Hurricane Dean, and will throughout the night - but the good news is the eye of the storm passed just to the south.

 

There are reports of three landslides, and extensive property damage - especially to Kingston, the capital city. Palisadoes Road, which links the capital of Kingston with the Norman Manley International Airport, is currently impassable.

Parishes are currently reporting the following: Portland, St. Mary and St. Catherine have substantial wind damage, storm surge and flooding. St. James, Kingston & St. Andrew severe wind damage and flooding. St. Thomas - Significant wind damage to roofs, storm surges, flooding, collapsed structures, impassable roadways are among the many reports.

Storm surges reported along the Port Henderson road in Portmore rendering the roadway impassable along with roof damage in the communities of Naggo Head and Newland. The Newland Road is also impassable.

Sections of the roadway have been eroded in Hellshire due to storm surges and rising water levels have been reported in Old Harbour forcing the evacuation of several persons.

Damage to critical facilities are as follows: Telecommunications, Cellular telephone lines are down in sections of Portland, St. Mary, and Clarendon and efforts are underway to re-establish communication links with St. Thomas as soon as possible. Over 125,000 people are without power, and there are reports of damage to the water supply systems.

And Hurricane Dean continues on its destructive path to the Cayman Islands, and then projected to make landfall in Mexico's Yucatan region.  

Weather watchers here in the U.S. are still not sure whether Dean will wobble and enter the Gulf and then target Texas, or another Gulf state.

How can you help Hurricane Dean victims?