Jamaica prepares for Hurricane Dean

While we in Barbados seem to have avoided the full brunt of Hurricane Dean, its path has caused a range of problems and deaths in neighbouring islands, especially in St. Lucia, Dominica and Martinique. For us, the force of the hurricane was a mere category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale (winds between 96-110 miles/ an hour). But the storm has gained strength as it heads north, and is likely to reach category 5 (winds over 155 miles/249/154-177 kilometers an hour). Its eye seems to be headed directly for Jamaica, which is already under a hurricane warning (meaning expected within the next 24 hours). Haiti and the Dominican Republic may escape the eye, which may then pass toward Mexico's Yucatan (which could impose new havoc on an area heavily damaged just two years ago by Hurricane Wilma). We focus a lot on the English speaking Caribbean, but we need to remember that we are one region, despite language and cultural differences.

From what my father tells me, people are making the best preparations they can in Jamaica. CNN reports that shoppers are rushing to supermarkets for groceries and essentials such as batteries, stocking up on gasolene and kerosene; Air Jamaica and American Airlines have added flights to try to accommodate those wanting to leave the island.

Jamaica has a long history with hurricanes. The Joyous Jamaica website indicates that there have been around 66, counting from the 16th century. That's plenty for one small country to have to deal with. Gilbert (1988) and Ivan (2004) are the most recent, but many will remember others, including the series during the 1930s.

Praying for everyone in Jamaica and hoping that Dean turns and unleashes itself not directly over the island.