EMBASSY KINGSTON CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR HURRICANE

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000950 DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS FOR YOLANDA PARRA, S/ES-O, S/ES-O/CMS FOR ELIAS PARRA, DS/IP/WHA, WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC CI JM SUBJECT: EMBASSY KINGSTON CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR HURRICANE PALOMA ¶1. Embassy Kingston's EAC met on 11/6/08 and 11/7/08 to discuss contingency plans for Hurricane Paloma. The storm is expected to pass west of the island of Jamaica, possibly bringing heavy rains to Negril and Montego Bay, Jamaica. However, this forecast path will take the storm over the Cayman Islands, for which Kingston has Consular and RSO responsibilities. In anticipation of this course, Kingston's EAC attempted to deploy one Vice Consul to the Cayman Islands, prior to the arrival of Tropical Storm Paloma. The Vice Consul would have departed Kingston and arrived in Grand Cayman on Friday morning, 11/7/08, to support the Consular Agent on Grand Cayman with assistance to American citizens. Vice Consul was in possession of a Consular Fly Away Kit, with the latest communication equipment. Unfortunately, Cayman Airways canceled the Friday morning flight, and the Vice Consul will not be able to reach the Cayman Islands before the hurricane arrives. ¶2. In addition to these actions, RSO updated and distributed copies of post's Cascade telephone listing for Embassy employees. Consular Section drafted and had approved a Warden Message alerting American citizens in Jamaica of the hurricane. This Warden Message was distributed electronically to all personnel at post. Embassy Kingston remains in touch with the Consular Agents in Montego Bay, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands for updates of information on the hurricane, and will report septel. HEG