Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Wind and water caused by Tropical Storm Gustav, damaged sections of the St Mary Banana Estate.

With a week to go before banana export begins in Jamaica, farmers in St Mary are facing almost complete devastation after the passing of Tropical Storm Gustav.

Right across the parish banana trees were down, and Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said it had been estimated that up to 85 per cent of the industry had been affected.

But the plight of the farmers wasn't the only problem St Mary residents had to face.

Rains started early Wednesday night and, accompanied by strong gusty winds, have since intensified.

According to Yolande Williams, disaster coordinator for the parish, all agencies were activated yesterday and were prepared in case of disaster.

There are currently five shelters open with 63 occupants at this time.

The entire parish was without electricity.

There have also been reports of trees falling on power lines all across the parish.

The districts of Clonmel, Lewis Store and Highgate have all been cut off from neighbouring communities, due to the collapse of the Westmoreland bridge, while two houses in Broadgate have been swept away by the Wag Water River.