The long lines have started in the supermarkets and shops as Jamaicans prepare for the effects of Hurricane Gustav.

Though Gustav is not expected to hit Jamaica directly,   high winds, rainfall and flooding are expected to start affecting the island by  late Wednesday. In cases where a direct hit is expected as was the case of Hurricane Ivan, the Jamaica Public service company, may choose to completely shut down the ‘grid’, to protect the light and power installations. 

Whether the grid is shut down or not, most Jamaicans can expect to be without electricity for at least a few days, and in some cases weeks. Candles, kerosene lamps and kerosene are in high demand at this time as families prepare for the nights without electricity. Of course at the end of it there would have been at least one house razed by fire cause by an overturned lamp or candle, usually when the adult had stepped away for a brief moment. The more fortunate in the population have gas guzzling generators (most so noisy that they keep the rest of their neighbourhood awake, and just in case you did not know they had a generator… now you know). Others are making sure that rechargeable lamps are fully charged.

 People have starting cutting down tree limbs which hang over their rooftops and removing debris which may be converted into missiles in the event of high winds.  Many of us are old enough to remember Hurricane Gilbert with satellite dishes and roofs flying through the air fully described in Lovindeer’s song Wild Gilbert                                              

Dish teck off like flying saucer, Di roof migrate widout a visa  

Apart from electricity one of the things in short supply in the aftermath of a hurricane in Jamaica is food. In the first place if you do not have a generator and the electricity goes, then if you have lots of meat and vegetable in your refrigerator, then you are looking at spoilage. But you know Jamaicans, high on creativity, we tend to just have post hurricane parties, cook all the perishable food  and invite everybody … ”whosoever will may come.”  But then after all that is consumed… what next.   On top of that many farmers would have lost crop and livestock… so we are in for shortages.

At the best of times Jamaica is hot’ so with no electricity for most Jamaicans, no fan, no A/C, no cold drinks, those who have the facilities to keep stuff cold, go to town with price gouging. As Lovindeer described in Wild Gilbert                                                    

Mi fish and mi meat spoil in mi freezer,An true mi no have no generator

One cold beer cost 10 dollar, And a pure bully beef full up mi structure   

Sometimes in the aftermath of a hurricane in Jamaica, you literally drive miles to get a cold drink, to purchase batteries and other supplies and of course to purchase food, being sold for triple the price. Of course everyone has their stash of biscuits, crackers, powdered milk and ‘tinners’. Many a vegetarian who had sworn off meant and fish, finds himself breaking the vow and eating canned tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines, as vegetables are in short supply.  If you have family and friends in Jamaica you should encourage them at this time to:  

1. Ensure that they know the quickest ways to emergency safety routes and the locations of official shelters in your area. Learn about their community's emergency plan and know what emergency signals sound like so they can respond adequately.

2. Keep all emergency equipment in one place in good working order. That includes flashlights, radios, batteries, emergency power generators, booster cables, flares, maps, fire extinguishers, etc.

3. Stock up on non-perishable food items and ensure that there is clean water stored in buckets or drums that are easily accessible, preferably inside the house. Ensure that you have food for infants and the elderly, snack foods, paper or plastic utensils.

4. Keep your gardens and all trees well-trimmed. Clear their yard and surrounding areas of all loose debris.

5. Review their insurance policy to ensure that they are covered in the event of flood or wind damage.

6. Keep all important personal documents in a clean, watertight container with your emergency supplies. This includes insurance, medical records, bank account numbers and social security cards.

7. Keep extra cash on hand for emergency purposes. Banks and ATMs may not be open for extended periods during hurricanes.

8. Have materials on hand to ‘batten down’ your house. That includes a hammer, nails, plyboard, tape, etc.

9. If their area is flood-prone, be prepared to leave quickly.

10. Prepare a first aid kit. Have all medication and prescription drugs in one easily accessible area. Post emergency numbers at every phone.

Got tips you'd like to add? Got a hurricane horror story to share? Pointers?

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