JAMAICA: CAT 1 STORM GUSTAV SITUATION REPORT 1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 000760

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX) (VDEPIRRO)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY)
S/ES - O
DSCC
DS/IP/WHA
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC EAIR ECON CASC PINR XL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: CAT 1 STORM GUSTAV SITUATION REPORT 1

SUMMARY
--------------


1. The predicted track and intensity of Category 1 Storm Gustav
shifted significantly overnight, and was now predicted to pass just
south of Jamaica during the day at winds approaching hurricane
force. DCM invoked emergency telephone tree at 0645 local time.
Normal embassy and consular operations to be suspended for the day,
and only personnel essential to dealing with the situation are to
report. Ambassador and Peace Corps Director decided to proceed with
swearing in ceremony for 10 AM. DCM notified Operations center of
revised Mission posture.

News Reports
--------------


2. CNN news is reporting that Tropical Storm Gustav is picking up
steam and advancing toward Jamaica. According to weather reports
Gustav is expected to keep strengthening over the next 48 hours
saying "Gustav could regain hurricane strength by Friday," the
advisory said. CNN is also reporting that the storm is reforming to
the south and its center may pass close to Jamaica later Thursday.
The Government of Jamaica has issued a hurricane warning and has
suspended normal business operations.

Airports Open, Flights Cancelled
--------------


3. The operations centers as Norman Manley Airport, Kingston and
Sangster Airport, Montego Bay claim they are open for normal
business operations. However, a representative from Air Jamaica
said all Air Jamaica flights are cancelled in and out of Jamaica. An
American Airline representative said a 10 AM flight out of Jamaica
is still scheduled to depart and a 1 PM flight from the U.S. is
still scheduled to arrive. NOTE: Given the way the storm is moving
it is likely any flights in to Jamaica will soon be diverted away in
preparation for the storm. END NOTE.

Embassy Updates by Section
--------------


4. CONSULAR SECTION:

- The Consular Section is closed for all normal services, including
American Citizen Services and visa services, on Thursday August 28.


- The section will send out a Warden Announcement ASAP notifying
American citizens of the Consular Section's closing on August 28 and
advising everyone to take appropriate action to protect themselves
as Gustav's effects are felt in Jamaica.

- The section is staying in close contact with the two consular
officers that were pre-deployed to the Cayman Islands and Montego
Bay on August 26 and 27, respectively.

- The Consul General, ACS Unit Chief, and ACS Vice Consul are in the
office this morning to ensure that American citizens are
well-served.


5. MANAGEMENT SECTION:

- All residential generators being topped off with fuel this
morning.

- Maintenance staff taking measures at Powell Plaza and other
government-owned housing to protect facilities.

- All loose items being put inside at NEC. Sandbags are being
installed to prevent drain blockage and flooding of lower end of
site.

- Vehicles being moved to avoid damage from falling tree limbs

- All non-emergency staff sent home


6. COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICE

- At 7 AM - American International School contacted the CLO to
inform us that school had decided to close today due to a hurricane
watch that has been issued for 12 noon today.

- Bus drivers and parents were notified and children picked up were
returned home and also calls and emails were sent out to parents to
inform them of the closure.

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7. USAID:

- USAID has closed its office today with the exception of several
staff that will be on stand-by to monitor any potential request for
disaster assistance.

- USAID staff are in contact with the USAID/OFDA Disaster Risk
Management Specialist and is being updated on ODPEM actions on an
hourly basis.

- USAID has pre-positioned supplies located in its Miami warehouse
and is ready to provide assistance if a request is made by the GOJ.


- Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) has received a list of
needs from Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
(ODPEM) within the GOJ should a disaster be declared.


8. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

- Public Affairs has sent out a press release informing the public
that the U.S. Embassy is Closed on August 28 and to remind people
that it will also be closed for the holiday on September 1.


9. REGIONAL SECRUITY OFFICE

- RSO Kingston office is fully staffed with RSO, ARSO, ARSO/I, and
RSO OMS.

- MSG Detachment at full strength minus 1 Marine (4/1).

- Local Guard Force is in place at all locations, and at Full
Strength. Statis, outdoor local guard positions may be moved during
the storm, for the safety of the guards. In this case, roving
patrols will be utilized until the storm diminishes.

- RSO Surveillance Detection (SD) team has been sent home from their
outside positions.

- 7-man DS/ATA team coordinated by former DSS SA Dave Haag has
cancelled today's training classes, and is returning to the Hilton
hotel to ride out the storm. Sufficient food and water is with
trainers for 1-2 days. This TDY staff is prepared to move to the
NEC if the storm rises to a Category 3 or higher, or if the decision
is made to move personnel to the NEC.

- Coordinating with MGT, IPC and CONS for the conduct of Embassy
operations.

BACKGROUND: CORE EAC MEETINGS AUG 26-27
--------------

- Embassy Kingston Core EAC (DCM, CG, ACS, MGT, MDRO, RSO) met
variously beginning August 26 to assess evolving situation with
respect to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Gustav and to make decisions
concerning our Mission's posture.

- We held the first meeting at 0800 Kingston time 8/26 following
morning forecast from National Hurricane Center (NHC) that put
Jamaica within the cone of Gustav. Storm was forecast to pass
north of Jamaica south of Cuba, and to reach vicinity of Caymans.
We decided to cancel previously a scheduled trip to Caymans by CONS
and RSO to examine new site for consular agency. MDRO reported OFDA
had people on standby in Florida ready to deploy. We determined to
prepare for possible decision to pre-deploy consular personnel to
Jamaican north coast and Caymans. Consular undertook to alert
consular agents and to prepare and clear a warden message. WHA/CAR
notified of our revised posture.

- Kingston core EAC met again at 1530 local time 8/26, at which time
it was determined to deploy consular officer Meagan Call to the
Caymans, departing on 8 AM flight 8/27. Predicted storm track
remained as before. This flight was only available opportunity to
deploy to Caymans before predicted storm arrival. Warden message
had been cleared by Washington and sent out. Report from Caymans
consular agent discussed. Decision to deploy consular officer to
Montego Bay deferred until morning of 8/27.

- Kingston core EAC reconvened at 0800 local time 8/27. Predicted
storm track remained as before. Decision deferred to deploy
consular officer to Montego Bay. MDRO reported attending meeting
hosted by UN on disaster preparedness. Jamaican agency ODPEM
reported 140 priority shelters on island, 8000 beds/blankets
available. Relief supplies depleted since Dean in 2007 and in need

KINGSTON 00000760 003 OF 003


of replenishment. Early warning issued re possible flooding in
eastern parishes.

- Core EAC met 1130 8/27 and decided to deploy consular officer Beth
Howard and Embassy car/driver to Montego Bay. Forecast Gustav track
essentially unchanged, but storm progress slowed and storm weakened
over Haiti. Reports from consular agents in Caymans and Montego Bay
discussed.

- Core EAC met 1530 local time 8/27. RSO reported circulation of
updates to Cascade phone list and cell phone lists. No change to
predicted Gustav track or Mission posture.
JOHNSON