Wilma causes damage in Jamaica

Hurricane Wilma, though moving away from Jamaica, continues to cause extremely heavy rainfall in already saturated territories.  

The Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) has been providing relief items including blankets, water and hygiene kits to persons in shelters in addition to managing several of these shelters.

According to Red Cross volunteer and shelter manager at Spanish Town Primary School, Mr. Joslyn Miller, persons made attempts to retrieve some of their belongings during a period where it seemed as if the rains would subside.

“They don’t take the children because it may not be safe, but they have tried to go back home, but with this weather they are definitely sleeping here,” he added.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Branch has had their shelter managers on a shift system since Sunday evening. The Red Cross Branches have been maintaining a comprehensive roster to support the shelter management process.

JRC has also assisted in the evacuation of several families to shelters. All JRC Branches were on alert throughout the weekend and National Intervention Teams (NITS) and Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTS) were activated.

According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) approximately 400 persons occupied shelters in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon.

Several persons were rescued by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Fire Brigade after flood waters cut off the communities of Big Pond in St. Catherine and Four Paths in Clarendon. There have also been reports of flooding in St. Elizabeth and Manchester.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has announced that garbage collections will be delayed due to the bad weather and compromised roads.

Schools are still closed and assessments will be carried out on Thursday to ascertain the viability of having them re-opened on Friday of this week.

JRC continues to work closely with the ODPEM and other agencies to provide assistance to persons affected by flooding. The main needs at this time are for food, mattresses and bedding.

JRC has been in close contact with the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU). PADRU is on standby to provide the customary support as required.

Jamaicans are hoping for improved weather by weekend. However it has been estimated that the damage done to roads, homes and other properties will cost millions to repair.

Jamaica was affected by Hurricanes Dennis and Emily earlier this year and these operations have only just recently closed.