While Jamaicans Anticipate the Passing of Tropical Storm Tomas

Nov. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Driving on the streets of Kingston at 7:30 am on a Thursday morning traffic free is unheard of and a clear sign that Kingstonians are not taking for granted the tropical storm warnings the media has been reporting over the past few days.
This writer grew up in the cool hills of St. Andrew overlooking the parish of Kingston.  It is believed that a vast majority of Jamaican citizens who resides in these hills are middle and upper class.  But in most cases, every middle or upper class neighborhood is surrounded or adjoined to a settlement or community of poor people. A hurricane does not decipher the rich from the poor on its approach to this beautiful island of sand, sea, sun, wood and water and so depending on which angle a storm hits as well as its strength, devastation is inevitable.
Tropical Storm Tomas is expected to pass by or ‘brush’ the eastern end of Jamaica this means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds are expected to affect sections of Jamaica’s eastern parishes by afternoon. Hurricane Tomas in this writers view is on a path similar to that of Hurricane Ivan a storm described in Wikipedia as, ‘the worst from a tropical cyclone in the island's recorded history.’ Though not a hurricane at the time of writing this report Tropical Storm Tomas is expected to simply “pass-by” and that news alone is devastating to many Jamaicans especially those that will be directly affected.
Preparation
Preparation alone can be nerve racking, this writer remembers having to pack valuables in waterproof bags, containers and storage ‘just in case our roof goes’ our parents would say.  Neighbours, mostly women would be seen with looks of grave concern or fear on their faces while husbands, spouses or males were seen busy hammering away, securing roofs, windows, doors and checks for leakage.  The smell of kerosene oil, gasoline, dogs barking as if aware of danger ahead, powered equipment cutting away trees nearby homes and a gloom lingers.
The Experience
In cases where the hurricane is severe, (category 3 – 5 as was Hurricane Ivan and Gilbert), one day would seems like one year.  Many fear the rain, others fear even more the winds but this writer is mindful of both.   The hurricane’s impact would be similar to that of a fifty cart derailed train heading towards its end at several hundred miles per hour.  When the hurricane hits and damages almost everything in its path, then comes the “EYE.” Yes! By this time, this writer would have been a total mess but relieved by the short break.  Many would wander out to see the damage already done but I would remain indoors mentally preparing for the “TAIL” OMG! It is said after the eye passes then comes the hurricane and that is oh so true, (using the same train crash illustration which by the way is not a personal experience but something seen on television) when it crashes, it is as if the carts have begun crashing into each other, one by one until totally destroyed.  So whatever there was to be salvaged on the first impact would have been ruined after a full blown impact.
The Parish of St. Andrew is mountainous, forests makes up its landscape some of which were mowed down by early settlers.  The problem that the authorities face is that some places are simply not safe to live and yes, these are the places many poor families settle.  The dangers they face includes land slippage and floods.   Recently, Tropical Storm Nicole created damages of its own plus the earth has already saturated by continuous rainfall. In some places water levels have barely receded and many homes have not yet been repaired or replaced.  Many persons refuse to leave their homes some living in areas named after rivers and springs and are knowledgeable of historical disasters that affected these places.  
Pray For Haiti
While Jamaicans anticipates the passage of Tropical Storm Tomas, this writer would like to encourage all persons throughout Jamaica, the Caribbean and the rest of world who are watching or tracking Tropical Storm Tomas to pray for our Haitian brothers and sisters.  These people are faced with a cholera outbreak that is prone to become even worse from heavy winds and floods.  Tents persons have been living in since the great earthquake in January have gotten old and tattered and need replacement.

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