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August 29, 2008
Gustav Destroys Jamaica
Hurricane Gustav slammed into parts of Jamaica leaving destruction and sorrow for all people, places and things lacking enough strength to stand firm in its path. Since Thursday night heavy rains and winds have left many stranded, flooded and some fatalities have been reported as well.
Missing people include a teenage boy and a younger child; while thousands have been rescued or remain in need of being saved from flood waters. Many residents in areas like Bryce Hill in Papine, St Andrew, Western Portland – by Manchioneal and Long Bay; Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine and Gordon Town have had to be evacuated and forced to seek shelter as their roofs have failed amongst other disastrous occurrences.
People wanting to leave Bull Bay or to go into that area from Harbour View are unable to do so, as the Harbour View Bridge is impassable after having split in two by the viciously strong water and wind.
Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness along with teams from the Jamaica Defense Force and the National Works Agency are on the ground diligently engaged in evacuation and rescue missions, as persons are not only stranded in flooded areas, but also trapped on places like their roofs.
With the eastern and southern sections of the island receiving the bitter brunt of the hurricane, mopping up is expected to be quite and extensive and mammoth task.
Rivers continue to rise, with the Rio Cobre reaching its critical level of 11 inches, according to the Water Resources Authority.
Gustav has left a path of destruction throughout Jamaica, with crops, livestock and fishing villages ruined. Prime Minister Golding is touring the mess and finding solutions bit by bit.