Jamaica devastated by storms. In the past few weeks, tropical storms Zeta and Eta have had a significant impact on Jamaica. These storms have left Jamaica with devastating landslides, swollen rivers, and flooded roads. At least two people have died and houses have been buried underwater and mud.
Unusually Active Hurricane Season
An unusually active 2020 hurricane season has forced the National Hurricane Center to turn to the Greek alphabet for storm names. This is the second time in 15 years that the number has reached this level.
“The damage is absolutely severe.” Said Juliet Holness, MP for St. Andrew East Rural.
“Roads have to be rebuilt, retaining walls have to be rebuilt in order to cross the area.” The destruction of tropical storm Zeta on main roads, bridges, and crops has not been fully investigated. Representative Juliet Holness estimates it would be worth billions of Jamaican dollars. Some residents reported that boulders, trees, and earth fell from the hills during the heavy rains caused by Eta.
Jamaica Devastated by Storms: A Major Setback
The Jamaican National Works Agency warned that they were monitoring the New Market area. In a tweet, the NWA stated;
“The flood is rising in the region and is now affecting the road to Carmel. The road to Westmoreland is now impassable.”
Previous estimates of the infrastructural and road damage after three weeks of rain and tropical storm Zeta were pegged at $18 million and agricultural losses were pegged at $13 million.
The devastation of Eta on major roads, bridges, and crops has not yet been fully assessed. Holness believes it would be billions of Jamaican dollars. That’s a high price for a developing country. Jamaica devastated by storms.
Jamaica had recently paid off her debts, and the economy had started growing gradually. However, these recent losses have caused a major setback.
“We were referred to as the third world in most recommendations, almost until recently. So, it goes without saying that we are not in a position to have the volume of wealth to support so much at the same time,” Holness said.
“We have paid our debts and are proud that our economy is growing slowly.”
Emergency Safety Measures
Holness said the government was quick to try to address concerns of citizens for safety. They asked people whose homes were likely to slide or sink to evacuate to a shelter. This is never easy, given concerns about COVID-19. She and public work teams were out to assist people. While trying to clear streets, she was out late into the night distributing food to residents in need before noon, Holness said.
“As a government, we reacted extremely quickly. We were out there every day. We are moving. We are with the people and we will continue to work hard and do our best,” she said. “We ask the citizens of Jamaica to be aware that it takes time and money to do some of this work. We are all in it together and we have to work together. ”
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