Tropical Storm Warning, Golden Jubilee, Olympics Go Team Jamaica

By Blayz Brooks

Caribbean Hurricane Network
8/4/2012 8:47 PM EST

Saturday was  a sunny, hot dry day fairly typical before we have system move into our area. I can remember previous systems always that layer of dry air before the real weather.  It has been  a very festive day as Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce kicked off our golden jubilee our nation’s weekend celebrations with a gold medal in the women’s 100m. It was the perfect 50th birthday present which is expected to be completed with a similar victory in the men’s 100m tomorrow.

Most places are all decorated in the Jamaica colors (Black, Green and Gold) for Jamaica 50  and there are tons of activities planned locally and across the world to commemorate the momentous occasion. It is unfortunate after at least three years of planning by both Administrations the festivies are been threatened by Tropical storm Ernesto. There are several delegations and leaders to visit I am not sure If they will be attending with the approach of the inclement weather including the  Us delegation sent by President Obama  lead by Colin Powell to include Pamela Bridgewater, U.S. ambassador to Jamaica; and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, The President  of South Africa Jacob Zuma, President of the Nation of Islam the Louis Farrakhan, among several other International figures and leaders.

This Afternoon the  Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller has urged Jamaicans to be in a state of readiness for the approach of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which continues to move towards the west and closer to the island. In a release from the Office of the Prime Minister  this afternoon, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller stated that a meeting of the National Disaster Committee was convened to assess the island’s readiness and instructions on the Jamaica 50 Village and the Denbigh Agri Show (These are two of the main events are outdoor activities expecting thousands of people) were given for contingency plans on these two and other events to be immediately put in place. “I urge everyone to heed the advisories from the Met Service and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, on this approaching storm.” Mrs Simpson-Miller said.

The latest bulletin from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica has the nation under a Tropical Storm Warning .  “Ernesto continues to move towards the west near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. This will bring the centre of the tropical storm near 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Jamaica by late Sunday morning. Based on current projections, southern parts of Jamaica are likely to be within the range of tropical storm force winds (over 63 km/h or 40 mph) and heavy rainfall, exceeding 100 millimetres (4 inches) on Sunday and early Monday. All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been discontinued and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.” Metservice Jamaica

Not many people are taking precautions especially since we are not in the direct path of Ernesto people are more into the Olympics and celebrations. In a situation like the current path where you live in Jamaica will determine the impacts while the north coast will have just  heavy rain and squally conditions ,the south coast and those at high elevation (Blue Mountain go up to 2256 m /7402 ft, 50% of Jamaica is over 1000ft ) we likely see gust up to tropical storm force If your house is poorly constructed with a zince roof this is enough to blow your roofs in addition to the flooding and landslide we usually see with heavy rains.T he National Water Commission the Islands sole water provider has asked residents to stock up on water ,previously we were in a severe drought similar to the usa. There was water restrictions in Kingston and Southern Jamaica so these have been waived so person can store water .They usually turn off water before storms or heavy rain events so sedimentation and turbidity don’t destroy the water pumps. For now it’s watching Olympics celebrating our golden jubilee but also monitoring Ernesto and preparing for possible flood rains.

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