SITUATION REPORT OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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1 SITUATION REPORT OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DATE: TIME: EVENT: October 23-24, :30 a.m. Tropical Storm Sandy DATE OF EVENT: October 23, 2012, 2012 SITUATION REPORT NO.: 3 NATURE OF EVENT: A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Sandy defines her northnortheastward path to Jamaica. As Sandy becomes more and more organized and environmental conditions remain conducive for development, the system is strengthening and moving faster towards the island. At 500 am EDT or 0900 UTC, the center of Tropical Storm Sandy was located near latitude 16.3 north and longitude 77.0 west. Sandy is moving towards the north near 14 mph or 22 km/h and this general motion is expected to continue through Thursday accompanied by a gradual increase in forward speed. The center of Sandy is expected to move across Jamaica by late this afternoon and evening and will move on to Eastern Cuba. Fig. 1: Tropical Storm Sandy predicted centre locations

2 Fig. 2: Tropical Storm Sandy projected path. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: The forecast for 150 mm (6 inches) to 300 mm (12 inches) of rainfall on Wednesday remains in effect based on the latest NMS bulletin. Flash flooding of low lying communities is still expected. Parishes Likely to Be Worst Affected Table 1: Most Vulnerable Parishes Parish Population Clarendon St Ann 24,835 KSA Portland St Catherine 143,104 St Thomas 33,141 St Mary 31,927 TOTAL 368,883 The track of the storm is shifting slightly but the impact of the storm is still expected to be islandwide since tropical storm force wind extends up to 165km from the centre. Central and eastern parishes remain on the watch list for more severe impacts, more so the eastern section of the island. 2

3 Fig 3: History of affected communities and projected path of Tropical Storm Sandy (Grovedale Avenue, Sandy Park and Tavern/Kintyre, Taylor Lands/Weise Road, Bull Bay also remain on the watch list for severe impacts.) Storm Surge Given the approach of the storm from directly south, communities along the southern coastline could be impacted by storm surge. A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the southern and eastern coast of Jamaica. The south coast of St Catherine, KSA and Clarendon are likely to be affected first. Rainfall Sandy is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches across Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Eastern Cuba with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and landslides, especially in places of mountainous terrain. Wind Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph or 110 km/h with higher gusts. Sandy is expected to strengthen and to become a hurricane by the time it reaches Jamaica. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles or 220 km from the center. Utility poles and wires and traffic lights could be negatively affected. Strong gusts may also affect roofs and agricultural produce. 3

4 ACTIONS TAKEN SHELTERS Evacuation orders have been issued for the following communities are currently being evacuated with assistance from the JUTC. Table 2: Evacuation & Shelter Activation PARISH COMMUNITIES STATUS HAZARD SHELTER KINGSTON & ST ANDREW Hope River Valley to include Kintyre, Tavern Bull Bay to include Taylor Lands & Weise Road, Cane River Pen Caribbean Terrace Sections of Sandy Gully to include Grovedale Ave, Sandy Park New Haven Both shelters are opened however only Kintyre is occupied. 30 persons transported from Taylor Lands to St. Benedicts, the others still pending.(jutc) Opened but unoccupied Shelter opened and awaiting provision of relief supplies Flooding Flooding Storm Surge Flooding/Collaps ed or damaged gully infrastructure Flooding Kintyre Community Centre Friendship Brook All-Age & St Benedict Harbour View Edith Dalton James High Clarendon Alley Shelter Activated Flooding Alley Primary Portland Cottage Shelter is opened, Flooding Portland Cottage Milk River/Farquhar Beach Shelter is open, Flooding Rest Primary Rocky Point Shelter is Open, Bustamante High St Catherine Nightingale Grove Flooding Sections of Lauriston closer to the Rio Cobre Shelter is Open Flooding Spanish Town Primary Thompson Pen Shelter is Open Flooding Spanish Town Primary Dam Head Shelter is Open Flooding Spanish Town Primary Communities along NIC Infrastructure Fairview, St Johns Road, Frazers Content Shelter is Open Flooding Spanish Town 4

5 PARISH COMMUNITIES STATUS HAZARD SHELTER Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village Shelter is Open, Old Harbour High Hellshire Fishing Beach Storm surge Kensington Port Henderson Fishing Beach Storm surge Portsmouth SHELTERS Shelter managers have been placed on standby. A list of shelters to be opened to receive evacuees has been prepared. The following is a status of shelters opened: Table 3: Shelter Occupancy Parish Location Adults Children Total Male Female Clarendon Alley Kingston & St National Arena Andrew Kingston & St Tavern Community Centre (4 Elderly) Andrew shelter Kingston & St Friendship Brook 7 17 (10 Adults) Andrew St Catherine Spanish Town Primary 1 1 St Catherine Clifton 5 Elderly Portland Red Hassle Church 4 5 (1Adult) TOTAL AGENCY ACTIONS Health Sector The St. Ann Health Centre has been relocated to the St. Ann s Hospital. All non-urgent patients have been discharged. All health centres are in working condition however they are presently closed. An Ambulance was sent to collect a child from the St. Benedicts Shelter and was taken to the Bustamante Children s Hospital due to reports of the child having pneumonia. Tourism Sector s 5

6 Education Sector Power and Electricity (JPS) Water Supply Meteorological Office Portland Bight will be impacted by storm force winds first Hurricane winds from Kingston East towards St. Thomas Area, System moving in a SSE direction. Forecasters have indicated that light showers have begun The system is moving more easterly as it progresses towards the island JUTC Updates JUTC evacuation underway within the KSA Regions To date 30 persons have been evacuated from Taylor s Land in Bull Bay to St. Benedicts Evacuation is pending for Kintyre Community 1000 persons in Old Harbour Bay are to be evacuated. The residents are not in a state of readiness for evacuation. NSWMA Updates EOC established Clean up Action Plan in place All regions placed on standby to clear blockage Clearance of schools that will serve as shelters will be priority Support will be given to the PEOCS in the clearance of debris from blocked roadways JCF High visibility present along impact corridors Strategies in place to target potential looting island wide ICs resources being mobilized islandwide 6

7 Roads & Infrastructure The Bog Walk Gorge remains closed. Toll road remains open WELFARE & RELIEF ODPEM Relief items dispatched to: Table 4: Distribution of Relief Items Parish Clarendon KSA St. Catherine Communities Served Portland Cottage, Rocky Point and Alley St. Benedicts, Tavern, Kintyre, Harbour View Primary, Edith Dalton James High Portmore Heart Academy TELECOMMUNICATIONS Internal Telecommunications ODPEM internal radio network up and running. Also connected to HAM and JCF Emergency Telecommunications Network. LIME Digicel Safety and Security Curfews remain in effect for several areas islandwide. 7