With a large percentage of its population old enough to remember the many months spent without electricity and the long, hard road to recovery the country faced after Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, Hurricane Ivan proved a terrible ordeal. However, the country had learned and collectively shook off its post-traumatic stress disorder and got back to the business of rebuilding the country. Today, Ivan is still remembered, especially for those who suffered the ultimate loss – a loved one.  

Published Sunday September 12, 2004

Terror

’Ivan’ kills 15

Curfews ordered

12,000 dislocated

A ferocious Hurricane Ivan wrought death and terror on numerous persons in Jamaica even though its deadly eye never made land. Some 15 people died, including three children late yesterday. In addition, 12,000 persons have been dislocated from their homes and are now living in shelters across the island. Meanwhile, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, in a press conference yesterday, said that as of last night, several communities in six parishes were under curfew.

Hurricane Ivan’s deadly reach

By Omar Anderson: Gleaner Writer

AT LEAST 15 persons died as a direct result of Hurricane Ivan which struck the island on Friday evening. Of these persons, eight drowned in Portland Cottage in eastern Jamaica.

Another victim, an expectant mother, died because of complications associated with her pregnancy after she was unable to receive necessary medical attention.

Late last night, the police confirmed that three children aged, six to nine years, and their father, died in Mannings Hill, St. Andrew, after a landslide caused a retaining wall to fall on their house, crushing them.

Hurricane Ivan, a category four system which at times went to a lower level category five hurricane, lashed the island on Friday and yesterday, resulting in loss of lives, damage to houses, roads, buildings, agriculture, and loss of livestock.

Overseas Relief

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson disclosed the hurricane casualties yesterday at a press conference called in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in St. Andrew. He hinted at the Government assisting with the victims’ funeral expenses.

In response to the ravages of the hurricane, the Prime Minister said relief efforts from the Caribbean, Canada, Venezuela, Britain, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were being organised.

Conservative figures issued indicated that some 12,000 dislocated persons were being housed at 285 shelters islandwide. Tourists vacationing here during Hurricane Ivan were safe, he said.

“It (the hurricane) must have an impact on the growth of our gross domestic product (GDP),” the Prime Minister said. “There has been substantial damage to agriculture and for the next few days, tourism will be adversely affected.” Mr. Patterson told journalists he did not believe the economy would be derailed nor would there be loss of confidence in the competence of the Government to implement sound macroeconomic policies.

“I have no indication that there’s likely to be any diminution of interest in investing in the projects that were in train, particularly in respect of tourism and the expansion of the mining and bauxite sector,” he said. He, however, conceded there would be delay in implementing several international development programmes expected to start this month.

The Prime Minister also noted that Kingston has been cut off from northern and eastern sections of the island due to land slippages and roadblocks. He advised that motorists could, however, access these areas through Barry in St. Catherine or Junction in St. Mary.

In anticipation of Hurricane Ivan, both Norman Manley and Sangster international airports were closed Thursday night. Mr. Patterson said runways and towers at both airports have not been damaged. He said both facilities are expected to be reopened sometime today.

At the same time, he said he expected schools not being used as shelters to be reopened as early as tomorrow, depending on the weather.

Security Forces Deployed

Meanwhile, following the state of public emergency which was declared for Jamaica on Friday, the Prime Minister said as of last night, curfews would be mounted in several parishes islandwide. These included Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Ann, and Montego Bay. He added that the security forces have been fully deployed to maintain law and order, as well as prevent widespread looting or crime.

“It is prudent at this time for everyone, in light of the flooding, not to proceed away from home in darkness, unless it is a matter of compelling necessity,” Mr. Patterson said. Speaking at the same press conference, National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips said the police made several arrests associated with shop-breaking and looting. He added that the police also shot and killed two persons over the past two days, while a number of policemen were shot and injured.

Mr. Patterson said he would convene a meeting of the National Disaster Committee at 3:00 p.m. today where detailed reports of Hurricane Ivan’s impact will be discussed. Cabinet is expected to deliberate over these reports when it meets tomorrow. 

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