As at September 19, 2008 the preliminary estimate of the damage and losses incurred by the Jamaican economy due to the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav between August 28 and 29, 2008 was $15.51 billion JMD (US$213.99 million), 2 per cent of nominal Gross Domestic Product in 2007. See Table below.
Damage and losses in the infrastructure sector represented the greatest portion of impact accounting for over 77.61 per cent of the estimated total. See Figure below. As in the case of previous hurricane and tropical storm events, the country’s infrastructure took a battering from Tropical Storm Gustav. There was extensive damage to the road network, bridges, water mains, and to a lesser extent some electricity and telecommunication facilities. Damage was estimated at $11,410.38 million while losses stood at $630 million.
There was also widespread damage to agricultural crops and loss of livestock across the island.
Preliminary estimates of damage totalled $1,757.44 million (JMD). The most heavily impacted crops were bananas and plantains with an estimated loss of between 70 per cent and 85 per cent of the
existing crop estimates. The most affected parishes were Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary, St.
Andrew and St. James. The western end of the island did not experience as much damage as the
east with St. Ann and Trelawny being the least affected. Substantial damage to agriculture
infrastructure including farm roads serving coffee producing areas was also experienced.
Affected Population
While the entire population experienced some impact from the storm, close to 450,000 residents
in 76 communities were most directly affected with the impact ranging from isolation of communities due to damaged bridges and impassable roads; destruction of property including
houses, crops and livestock; loss of livelihood; and loss of life. At the peak of the event, a total
of 102 shelters were opened across all parishes housing 1,952 persons. The parishes with the
highest number of persons in shelters were Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas and Clarendon
with 387; 346; and 331 persons respectively. By September 1, four days after the event, 248 persons remained in 10 shelters in 5 parishes.
There was some dislocation in the provision of utility services; however, these were restored in a
relatively short time. As at Tuesday, September 2 all of the National Water Commission’s major facilities were restored with the exception of the Rio Cobre system and transmission main from the Hope Water Treatment Plant. For those areas without water, the Rapid Response Units and private trucks were utilized especially to facilitate institutions that provide essential services. Service was restored to all Jamaica Public Service customers by September 15, 2008 and the main telephone providers indicate that there was very little disruption to their services. Farmers, as a group, were particularly affected with 22, 710 domestic crop farmers and 1,545 livestock farmers suffering damage and loss amounting to approximately $550 million. Banana producing communities and workers in the banana industry are among those expected to experience the greatest long term impact from the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav. This is as a result of the Jamaica Producers Group Ltd decision to cease production of bananas for export to the United Kingdom and to make 460 workers redundant. Workers in the construction industry were also affected as the industry was disrupted up to September 12 since heavy duty vehicles transporting construction materials from the eastern end of the island into Kingston were unable to cross the Hope River.
In the most affected communities, there was considerable damage to the housing stock with
approximately 7, 000 units being damaged. Close to 40 per cent of the houses assessed (as at
the end of September), have been verified as being either severely damaged or totally destroyed.
These housed an estimated 2,115 families (6,154 persons) see Table below.
The estimated cost of the damage based of replacement cost for a starter unit of 216 sq. ft., is $
1,080 million (JMD) . It is to be noted that some communities will have to be relocated. The exercise will require significant outlays for land and support infrastructure.
The storm struck just before the beginning of the new school year, as such school children
island-wide were affected as the re-opening of school was delayed by two days to facilitate clean
up and emergency repairs. Children enrolled in the 56 primary and secondary schools that were
damaged were particularly affected. Once schools re-opened, children travelling the Bog Walk Gorge were affected by higher fares, longer waiting time and lengthened commute. In some
communities in the Hope River Valley, parents reported that children lost school books, supplies
and uniforms when houses were flooded.
Casualties
Twenty persons reportedly lost their lives as a result of the storm, ten of whom have been have
been confirmed, 3 females and 7 males (Table 1.7). Among those who died were four persons
who drowned in Kintyre and Lawrence Tavern when their houses collapsed into the Hope River
in St. Andrew; four persons who were swept away in a vehicle in Bull Bay, St. Andrew and three
children from the Mustard Seed community who died from trauma. One man reportedly
suffering from asthma who was unable to get medical attention, collapsed near the Hope River
Bridge and was later pronounced dead. Other deaths occurred in Llandewey, St. Thomas and
Gordon Town, St. Andrew. The government has allocated $150,000.00 JMD to assist with the burial of each confirmed dead.
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