Tropical storm Gustav is making it’s way past Jamaica today (floods abound). I’ll be sending up prayers for everyone to stay safe while Gustav is passing. The Jamaican Radio Station Power 106 may have more live news (the link for Winamp can be used in iTunes).
For more updates read on…
6-12″ of rain and possibly 25″ of rain are expected. Gustav may at anytime turn into a Hurricane, and is expected to do so today. (paraphrased from Power106 recent weather news)
The Go-Jamaica.com Blog has frequent updates on the current storm’s damage. The Jamaican Gleaner (no stories up yet as of 1:59 PM).
Here for Storm Track Predictions and here.)
Update (2:19 PM) – Jamaican Power says that currently approx. 47% of their customers are without power.
Update (11:01 PM) – (from Power 106) Lots of downed trees, streets out, and people in shelters. Looks like the Banana crop has been severely damaged yet again. Major source of damage is Flooding and Mud Slides. Two main bridges down. At least 2-3 days to restore traffic to St. Thomas parish. 31 people are on roof-tops due to mud-slides (12 feet of mud)- air lifts will be required for them. Have been deaths- car with four passengers washed away. Recovered one body, and search for the rest. Number of people drowned. Double-figure death toll may be possible. Eastern Rural section of St. Andrew, Gordon Town area (road collapsed past Newcastle) most hardest hit. Paraphrased from an interview by Gary Spalding- Earlier this morning with the Prime Minister on Power 106.