The Event: Hurricane Dennis a strong Category 3 system as it traversed the North East coast of Jamaica for most of Thursday, July 7, 2005, dumped significant amount of torrential rainfall in central and eastern parishes. Dennis strengthened overnight to a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane and is now threatening central Cuba as it moves northwest over the island. The Hurricane Warning has now been lifted for Jamaica.
The Prognosis: The Weather condition in Jamaica is still adverse with many parishes still experiencing rainfall this morning. Government Offices and private sector entities are resuming normal operations. The International Airports have re-opened.
THE SITUATION
The Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management has advised that the main impact of Hurricane Dennis has been in the eastern third of the country. Areas affected are indicated below:
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Communities Affected
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Parish
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Impact
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Seaforth
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St. Thomas
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Flooding
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Serge Island
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St. Thomas
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Flooding
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Trinityville, Mount Lebanus
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St. Thomas
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Flooding
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Hillside
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St. Thomas
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Flooding/ Landslides,
Debris Flows
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Penline Castle, Hagley
Gap
Lloyds </div>
| St. Thomas
St. Thomas
| Landslides and Flooding
(All Roads are impassable)
Community being flooded by the Mandicut River
| Morant Bay
| St. Thomas
| Bamboo River and Browns
Gully in Spate
| Bridgeport
2 East Waterford 2North 3 North 8 West 4 West 4 East 1 North Silverstone 3 East Whitewater Meadows Willowdene Jobs Lane Featherbed Lane St. Johns Road
| St. Catherine
St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine
| Reported Flooding
Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding Reported Flooding
| Mammee River
Somerset
| St. Andrew
St. Andrew
| 2 houses washed away
Landslide, blocking road
| Norman Manley Highway
Washington Gardens
| Kingston
| Highway reported Flooded
Flooding Reported |
CASUALTIES
One casualty was reported in St. Thomas but remains to be confirmed.
SHELTERS
Shelters were opened in all parishes to accommodate persons wishing to seek more secure shelter. Close to six thousand (6000) persons are in shelters.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS
The ODPEM is coordinating in conjunction with its response partners, search and rescue activities in situations where persons are marooned due to rising flood waters.
PRELIMINARY DAMAGE AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT
All parishes are currently undertaking assessments of damages and needs.
REGIONAL RESPONSE
Based on discussions between the ODPEM and CDERA and the preliminary indication that the level of impact would not warrant a level three response, as provided for under the Regional Coordination Plan, the Regional Response Mechanism is hereby "Stood Down" as of this SITREP. The CDERA Coordinating Unit continues to monitor the situation and will provide any focused support as required.
SITREPs on Hurricane Dennis' impact on Jamaica will be issued as information becomes available. These may be viewed at www.cdera.org.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386