KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called on all Jamaicans to be prepared for the possible damages that could be inflicted by Hurricane Gustav, despite the fact that the hurricane at this time, might not be as threatening as Hurricanes Dean or Ivan.
Mr. Golding made the plea this morning (Aug 26) at an emergency meeting of the National response team at Jamaica House called to review their preparedness and the likelihood that Jamaica will be impacted by Hurricane Gustav.
The Hurricane has been classified as a Category 1 and Jamaica has been warned that it could intensify. Mr. Golding said that while the forecasted path will not take it directly across Jamaica, it will be close enough for significant amount of rainfall and gale force winds associated with a Category 1 or 2 hurricane.
He said there is no cause for alarm at this time as the Government agencies are all well prepared. He said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has arranged for over 140 shelters to be opened if the situation requires and arrangements have been made to ensure that critically needed supplies will be available. ‘We are guardedly optimistic that given the low intensity of the hurricane so far which is expected to pass 40-50 miles north of Jamaica with winds 70-80 miles per hour, we won’t suffer much damage’, Mr. Golding said.
However he said Gustav should not be taken lightly by Jamaicans as the unpredictability of the hurricane makes it difficult for us to be precise in forecasting its movement.
Mr. Golding called on Jamaicans to cut down trees, remove objects that could create damage, and to secure their properties and livestock so that the country will not suffer damages as in the past.
The ODPEM will be opening its national operations centre tomorrow morning at 6:00am at Up Park Camp in Kingston, as the reports indicate that we will begin to feel significant effects of the weather associated with the hurricane from tomorrow afternoon and continuing into Thursday.
