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September 01, 2008
Jamaica mops up and New Orleans evacuates
Mopping up after Gustav is quite a huge feat for Jamaica and Prime Minister Bruce Golding is not only counting the country’s losses this weekend, he is also mobilizing government bodies to provide for those displaced and repair those areas that sustained major damage.
Still trying to determine how many lives were lost, the Prime Minister was able to disclose to journalists on Friday that the hurricane left millions of dollars in damage, with about 129 blocked roads, 150 destroyed houses and almost 4,000 people displaced – of which 2,000 were being sheltered in 100 emergency shelters.
Two major bridges, the Westmoreland Bridge in St. Mary as well as the Harbour View Bridge were badly damaged and many communities lost electricity and water supplies.
Residents from at least two communities that have been isolated by flood waters will be receiving emergency supplies by airlift and the Prime Minister said the National Water Commission and Jamaica Public Service Company Limited have already started restoration of services to several areas.
With all the mayhem that Gustav caused, the St James Parish Council was pleased with progress made in that area, as cleared drains allowing for the free flow of traffic in the usually flood-prone region.
As Gustav travels towards the United States, residents of New Orleans have been ordered to evacuate. It is a mandatory evacuation order by the city’s mayor, who is preparing for the worse.