Effects of Hurricane Ivan in Jamaica
Encyclopedia
The effects of Hurricane Ivan in Jamaica were among the worst from a tropical cyclone in the island's recorded history. Hurricane Ivan
formed as a Cape Verde-type hurricane
in early September 2004 and became the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane
, and the fourth major hurricane of the year. Ivan reached Category 5
strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
, the strongest possible category. Ivan became the sixth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. In Jamaica, the storm caused severe damage which left 18,000 people homeless. An estimated 17 people on the island were killed by Ivan.
via emergency flights. However, roughly 850 more decided to stay. Nine buses were provided to help move residents from the town of Port Royal
to a sports stadium, though only 20 people accepted.
Two Royal Navy vessels were sent to the island to assist in the aftermath of the storm. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister
, declared a public emergency. According to Patterson, the island had to "prepare for the worst-case scenario". Schools and churches were converted into shelters, and the national blood bank
requested residents to donate blood, in anticipation of potential injuries. By September 10, over 1,000 individual shelters were set up throughout the country. The Jamaican Government urged off-duty corrections officers to report to work. Air Jamaica
canceled all flights to and from the island, as well as inter-island flights; aircraft were transported to the United States until the storm passed. The Mennonite Central Committee
designated the equivalence of $20,000 USD for assisting with potential damage. Businesses in Kingston
were closed, and fishermen secured their boats to trees. Workers boarded up windows, and grocery stores remained open later than normal to allow for residents to purchase supplies.
. High winds and heavy rainfall affected the island, causing significant wind and flood damage. The storm was described as one of the most intense hurricanes in Jamaica's recorded history. Rainfall exceeded 35 inch (0.889 m) in some places. At Ritchies, 28.37 in (720.8 mm) of rain was reported, and 27.92 in (709.4 mm) fell at Mavis Bank. In southern parishes, rainfall data was were lost due to damage to rain gauges. Doppler radar velocity data estimated that winds of 112 miles per hour (180.2 km/h) affected the island. Pedro Bank
, to the southwest of Jamaica, reported a 10-minute average wind of 133 miles per hour (214 km/h). Ivan caused severe damage, damaging and destroying houses, and triggering mudslides that washed out roads. In Kingston, the winds downed trees and poles and caused flooding. In Montego Bay
, the Barnett River overflowed its banks; businesses were flooded with up to 4 feet (1.2 m) of water. Roads suffered flooding, and part of the A1 Road
, the primary northern coastal highway, was washed away. Along the coast, 23 ft (7 m) were reported, and in Kingston, several large trees were brought down. Tiles on the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel were blown off and broken, and waves flooded a causeway
to an airport near Kingston that was closed and evacuated.
Due to a shift Ivan's track, the capital city of Kingston was spared from extreme damage. However, flooding in the city was deemed a "major catastrophe". Some roads throughout the region were left impassible due to downed trees and utility poles. The majority of tourism and resort areas suffered "mainly cosmetic damage and all structures remained primarily intact". In the aftermath of the storm, looters
were reported roaming the streets of Jamaica's capital city, Kingston
, robbing emergency workers at gunpoint. Overall, 17 people were killed in Jamaica and 18,000 people were left homeless as a result of the flood waters and high winds. Damage on the island totaled US$
360 million (2004 USD).
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
formed as a Cape Verde-type hurricane
Cape Verde-type hurricane
A Cape Verde-type hurricane is an Atlantic hurricane that develops near the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa. The average hurricane season has about two Cape Verde-type hurricanes, which are usually the largest and most intense storms of the season because they often have plenty of...
in early September 2004 and became the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
, and the fourth major hurricane of the year. Ivan reached Category 5
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
, the strongest possible category. Ivan became the sixth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. In Jamaica, the storm caused severe damage which left 18,000 people homeless. An estimated 17 people on the island were killed by Ivan.
Preparations
On September 8, 2004, a hurricane watch was issued for the island. The next day, that advisory was upgraded to a hurricane warning, as hurricane conditions had become more imminent. By 1500 UTC on September 12, all tropical cyclone watches and warnings were discontinued for Jamaica. About 500,000 Jamaicans were told to evacuate from coastal areas, but only 5,000 were reported to have moved to shelters. Many residents refused to evacuate for fear of looting. About 2,600 British tourists were evacuated to the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
via emergency flights. However, roughly 850 more decided to stay. Nine buses were provided to help move residents from the town of Port Royal
Port Royal
Port Royal was a city located at the end of the Palisadoes at the mouth of the Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1518, it was the centre of shipping commerce in the Caribbean Sea during the latter half of the 17th century...
to a sports stadium, though only 20 people accepted.
Two Royal Navy vessels were sent to the island to assist in the aftermath of the storm. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, declared a public emergency. According to Patterson, the island had to "prepare for the worst-case scenario". Schools and churches were converted into shelters, and the national blood bank
Blood bank
A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components, gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion. The term "blood bank" typically refers to a division of a hospital laboratory where the storage of blood product occurs and where proper...
requested residents to donate blood, in anticipation of potential injuries. By September 10, over 1,000 individual shelters were set up throughout the country. The Jamaican Government urged off-duty corrections officers to report to work. Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica is the current national airline of Jamaica. It is has been owned and operated by Caribbean Airlines since 26 May 2011. The airline, headquartered in Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago also has administrative offices located in Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica...
canceled all flights to and from the island, as well as inter-island flights; aircraft were transported to the United States until the storm passed. The Mennonite Central Committee
Mennonite Central Committee
The Mennonite Central Committee is a relief, service, and peace agency representing 15 Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish bodies in North America. The U.S. headquarters are in Akron, Pennsylvania, the Canadian in Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:...
designated the equivalence of $20,000 USD for assisting with potential damage. Businesses in Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
were closed, and fishermen secured their boats to trees. Workers boarded up windows, and grocery stores remained open later than normal to allow for residents to purchase supplies.
Impact
On September 11 and September 12, the center of Ivan passed near JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. High winds and heavy rainfall affected the island, causing significant wind and flood damage. The storm was described as one of the most intense hurricanes in Jamaica's recorded history. Rainfall exceeded 35 inch (0.889 m) in some places. At Ritchies, 28.37 in (720.8 mm) of rain was reported, and 27.92 in (709.4 mm) fell at Mavis Bank. In southern parishes, rainfall data was were lost due to damage to rain gauges. Doppler radar velocity data estimated that winds of 112 miles per hour (180.2 km/h) affected the island. Pedro Bank
Pedro Bank
Pedro Bank is a large bank of sand and coral, partially covered with seagrass, about 80 km south and southwest of Jamaica, rising steeply from a seabed of 800 metres depth. It slopes gently from Pedro Cays to the west and north with depths from 13 to 30 metres. The total area of the bank...
, to the southwest of Jamaica, reported a 10-minute average wind of 133 miles per hour (214 km/h). Ivan caused severe damage, damaging and destroying houses, and triggering mudslides that washed out roads. In Kingston, the winds downed trees and poles and caused flooding. In Montego Bay
Montego Bay
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the fourth by population .It is a tourist destination with duty free shopping, cruise line terminal and the beaches...
, the Barnett River overflowed its banks; businesses were flooded with up to 4 feet (1.2 m) of water. Roads suffered flooding, and part of the A1 Road
Roads in Jamaica
The road network in Jamaica consists of almost 21,000 kilometres of roads, of which over 15,000 kilometres is paved. The numbering scheme used covers freeways, primary roads, secondary roads, parochial roads and unclassified roads.-Freeways:...
, the primary northern coastal highway, was washed away. Along the coast, 23 ft (7 m) were reported, and in Kingston, several large trees were brought down. Tiles on the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel were blown off and broken, and waves flooded a causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
to an airport near Kingston that was closed and evacuated.
Due to a shift Ivan's track, the capital city of Kingston was spared from extreme damage. However, flooding in the city was deemed a "major catastrophe". Some roads throughout the region were left impassible due to downed trees and utility poles. The majority of tourism and resort areas suffered "mainly cosmetic damage and all structures remained primarily intact". In the aftermath of the storm, looters
Looting
Looting —also referred to as sacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging—is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe, such as during war, natural disaster, or rioting...
were reported roaming the streets of Jamaica's capital city, Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, robbing emergency workers at gunpoint. Overall, 17 people were killed in Jamaica and 18,000 people were left homeless as a result of the flood waters and high winds. Damage on the island totaled US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
360 million (2004 USD).