Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Residents walk by what is left of a roof that was blown off a house in Long Bay, Portland, during Gustav.

WESTERN BUREAU:

From all accounts the St James Parish Council was ready for Gustav, which made landfall in Jamaica Thursday afternoon.

Despite concerns raised earlier in the year, by disaster preparedness coordinator, Amanda Thompson, about citizens continuously dumping garbage in drains after they had been cleaned, the usual flood-prone areas were clear, allowing for the free flow of traffic in the city.

From as early as 8 a.m. on Friday, municipal police were on patrol in the town. In addition, a truck was seen collecting debris around the parish.

Red Cross volunteers were busy walking the streets after the worst of the storm had passed.

Community relations officer for the National Works Agency, Janel Ricketts, told The Gleaner that, for the most part, there were no problems in Montego Bay.

She said several roads in Hanover and Westmoreland had been blocked, including the road from Flint River to Cascade, Harvey River to Askenish, and Whithorn to Darliston.

Ricketts, however, said that teams have been mobilised to clear the roadways as soon as possible.

Up to midday yesterday, several areas in Montego Bay were without electricity.