What can be expected at SW tip of Jamica?

[Brent]

I lived threw Andrew in South Louisiana. I never got to talk to them, her father did. None of them have had anythign stronger than an inland tropical storm so they dont have a clue as to what to expect. You guys have confirmed by thoughts as to what they should expect. I will keep you informed if I hear anything at all.

To the few doubters on here...this is a true post, I only wish it was false. They are 21 years old and stupid. I told my mother in law to tell her father to tell her bye, to try to get here to come home. But it was too late for the flights.

I was HOPING it wasn't true. I doubted anyone would be that STUPID!

What on earth is wrong with these people? Good grief...

Your asking for it if you stay. That is all I can say.

[msbee]

tell them to take shelter in anything concrete with a concrete roof
during Luis on this island, people drained their cisterns and jumped inside.

[Stormchaser16]

OOOO getting arrested may be a good idea.....

[anjou]

Caves:

http://gocaribbean.about.com/cs/jamaica ... acaves.htm

http://www.jamaicancaves.org/main.htm

[Mello1]

I lived threw Andrew in South Louisiana. I never got to talk to them, her father did. None of them have had anythign stronger than an inland tropical storm so they dont have a clue as to what to expect. You guys have confirmed by thoughts as to what they should expect. I will keep you informed if I hear anything at all.

To the few doubters on here...this is a true post, I only wish it was false. They are 21 years old and stupid. I told my mother in law to tell her father to tell her bye, to try to get here to come home. But it was too late for the flights.

I am so sry to hear this. I would think that the Jamacian Bureau of Tourism or the Govt there would have required mandatory tourist evacs days ago, with no incomings. They should try to get to Ocho Rios ~~ Negril is not the place to be. Can they fly to the Caymans and then get a flight from there? I dunno, just trying to think of something for you. My thoughts and prayers to your family....

[Cape Verde]

OOOO getting arrested may be a good idea.....

<P>You have got to be kidding. If the choice is between being thrown into a Jamaican jail or fighting 160 mph winds, I'd go for the winds every time.

[quickychick]

Rob, I have nothing to offer you in the way of advice, but I hope you will accept my sincerest hopes and prayers that they survive.

[Stormchaser16]

Someone else mentioned it...... i mean you may have a chance that way, staying in a hotel room wont get you anywhere

[Robert]

I would suggest they get a taxi to Kingston. I was in Negril about 14 years ago and I think that Sandles was right on the beach (elevation 2 ft above high tide?). All those little steel shacks where they sell their crafts are going to be thrown (and although they are not strong, I would not want a piece of steel ripping through my hotel bedroom window). At least in Kingston they are probably a bit better equiped to handle the storm, may (hopefully) will have storm shelters or at least more modern hotels and they will be closer to the airport when it is over. Negril lost power every day we were there, for at least a few hours, so a storm like this (unless they have improved their power lines a lot) will probably wipe out power for weeks. This is not a rip on Jamaica, but if they are not carefully they may end up spending a lot longer there then they expected (no power, no lights, no water, no fuel for taxi's, no refrigeration for food, etc...). At least in Kingston they hopefully will have a way out after the storm.

[al79philly]

soonertwister offered the following advice in another thread:

Generally, in a well-constructed building, the recommendations for a strong but not devastating tornado would be about the same as for a severe hurricane.

Get to a small interior space that has solidly constructed walls around it, often that might be an interior bathroom. The advantage of a bathroom is that plumbing and the reinforcement because of the plumbing may make that space stronger than others. Wear multiple layers of clothing, the more the better. If you have a helmet, wear it. Wrap youself in blankets or bedspreads, and if in a bathroom, use the tub as a bunker. It could get very hairy in a category 5 hurricane. consider having a bunch of pillows or even a small mattress there for additional protection from collapse and windblown objects. Keep everyone calm, and try to keep the space closed to any outside winds. Use something to barricade the door securely from potential battering. Strongly consider nailing the door shut, with an ample number of nails.

Those are only brief recommendations. There are many factors to consider in a hurricane: tidal surge, flood waters, mud slides, many other things. Keep your wits about you, and never venture outdoors during a lull in the storm. Keep in shelter until the hurricane has passed entirely. If you have sturdy-soled shoes they are much recommended over sneakers and lightweight footgear; in the aftermatch you could run a board splinter or nail spike deep into your foot, and medical assistance may not be available for a long time after the storm.

And wish for good luck, and don't drink alcohol. You will need your wits with you at all times, and you may need to be the person to save others' lives when everyone else has lost their sanity.

Good luck to those in danger now. Remember always that the danger is not just during the storm, but continues thereafter. Use ample caution at all times, and don't take any unnecessary risks.

[PTPatrick]

ok...I know it will be bad there, but jamaica has experienced horrible storms in its past. This is NOT the end of Jamaican civilization as we know it. I suspect there are plenty of safe structure on the island. it will not be FLATTENED. that is just drama. Tell you family to find a safe shelter inland or discuss it with hotel management. i suspect the resort has hurricane plans in place. They are going to be ok if they use their heads. they may be stuck there for an untold period of time. There is NO REASON for this drama and talking about how peoples family are going to be numbers in the death toll. That is rediculous.

[PTPatrick]

ok...I know it will be bad there, but jamaica has experienced horrible storms in its past. This is NOT the end of Jamaican civilization as we know it. I suspect there are plenty of safe structure on the island. it will not be FLATTENED. that is just drama. Tell you family to find a safe shelter inland or discuss it with hotel management. i suspect the resort has hurricane plans in place. They are going to be ok if they use their heads. they may be stuck there for an untold period of time. There is NO REASON for this drama and talking about how peoples family are going to be numbers in the death toll. That is rediculous.

[rick-g]

Remember the whole country is preparing for this, the hotel will make them get to an evacation center.

Rick

[anjou]

The Jamaica Red Cross, I read, is in charge of shelters in Jamaica... http://www.jamaicaredcross.org

This page has their phone number, email address and a map of their branches in Jamaica: (not necessarily shelters, branches)
http://jamaicaredcross.org/contactus.html

(At this point, I don't know if a general emergency number for the Red Cross somewhere might be more useful.)

This page has a map of where Sandals Negril is:
http://www.all-jamaica.com/hotels/sandals_descr.html

The chief disaster relief agency for the entire Caribbean is CDERA... at http://www.cdera.org - great place for info (maybe go there first)

Also, here is the thread for Jamaica at stormcarib.com - someone there might have more info about shelters, if you post.
http://stormcarib.com/reports/2004/jamaica.shtml

Also, there is a list - with locations and local phone numbers, of disaster coordinators in all of Jamaica's different regions:
http://www.go-jamaica.com/weather/hurricane-tips.php

Personally, I'd check in with the disaster folks and ask them about the caves... which have the least likelihood of flash flooding etc.

And... I would BE in a CAVE.

[soonertwister]

I would be extremely uncomfortable being in unproven shelter like a cave during a catastrophic hurricane. While the cave itself might be safe, (but remember that caves are formed by WATER) what happens outside while you are in the cave could be life or death. What if a river of water comes pouring into the cave from outside? What if a mudslide buries your cave entrance under thousands of tons of earth?

Too risky if you ask me. WAY too risky.

[THead]

I am in 100% agreement with PTPatrick.
If they don't panic, and use their heads, they will be fine. An island in the middle of hurricane alley in the Caribbean knows how to deal with hurricanes. Granted this is a biggie, but they should be ok if they use their heads. Although, NOT using their heads would be staying in the hotal room.....so there's one strike against em already.

[anjou]

I think any cave the disaster officials sanction as being a good idea may have a better chance than many manmade shelters (short of proven actual designated hurricane shelters or an actual bunker) surviving.

Caves have plenty of historical use as 'cane shelters....
http://www.caymannetnews.com/Archive/Ar ... 20Land.htm and http://www.middlecaicos.tc/ for example.

Ivan will be going through Jamaica at more like a 150mph storm (??) whereas it was reported as a 120mph category 3 when it razed Grenada.. official reports, remember, said 9 of 10 buildings damaged or destroyed.

[anjou]

<snipped dup>

[anjou]

<snipped dup>

[gatorbabe79]

There are actually a few caves on the Negril end of the island.