Jamaicans yesterday stepped up preparations in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the first major storm of the 2006 hurricane season to threaten the island.
Last night, a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remained in effect for Jamaica, as Ernesto, which up to press time was still a tropical storm, was expected to strengthen to hurricane status as it approaches the island.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions, particularly heavy rains, are to be expected, and a hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions, including strong wind gusts, heavy rains and the possibility of flooding, should be expected.
According to the National Meteorological Service, at 7:00 last night Ernesto was located about 440 km east-southeast of Morant Point, packing winds of near 95 kph (60 mph) and moving towards the west-northwest at a speed of near 22 kph (14 mph). The storm is projected to pass slightly to the north of the island, between Jamaica and Haiti, dumping between 4 and 8 inches - but possibly as many as 12 inches - of rain on Jamaica.
"Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 150 km (90 miles) from the centre, and satellite imagery indicates that spiral bands associated with the system now extend as far as 400 km (250 miles) from the centre. Residents should, therefore, expect storm-force winds to spread over the island, along with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, beginning on Sunday morning. Extensive flash flooding, landslides and above normal tide levels are likely," said a release issued by the Met Office.
Yesterday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised the public to take the usual hurricane precautions, including battening down zinc sheets on roofs, trimming trees and securing loose objects and preparing emergency kits containing tinned food, batteries, water, radios and flashlights. Residents of low-lying coastal areas and flood-prone areas were also advised to be ready to evacuate, and according to Ronald Jackson, acting director of the ODPEM, shelters across the island are currently open and will remain open and accepting residents.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller assured the nation that should the storm hit, the security forces were on "full alert" to deal with potential issues. She warned residents of low-lying areas to take advantage of shelters, and advised that JUTC buses would be deployed to assist residents in their evacuations. Also, the prime minister noted, more than $3 million was allocated for emergency flood mitigation.