SUMMER 2003GEOHAZARDS COURSE AT UWI, MONA - page 128

Prepared and compiled by Rafi Ahmad, Unit for Disaster Studies,
Department of Geography and Geology,
University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Landslide inventory map
· Stream courses, bridges and culverts were blocked by landslide and organic debris which resulted in localized flooding.
· In some areas accumulation of sediments in the perennial channels was significant.
· Landslide dams in water courses were a common occurrence. These were breached, as has been reported by citizens, within about six hours causing flooding in many areas, for example Berridale.
· Debris flows destroyed/severely damaged at least 5/5 houses and killed 4 residents in the Fellowship area. The storm affected some 33 houses in the parish (NRCA,1998).
· On Sunday, 4th January, 1998, about 0.5 ha of earth and rock slid from Joe Hill above the community of Rochmurchas in Fellowship district, burying 13 people in a shop where they took shelter from rain. It was possible for the village community to dig out 9 persons from under the landslide, while 4 were killed. The shop owner suffered fractured ribs and head injuries; one person's leg was amputated and others also sustained injuries.
· Throughout the area, entire communities were isolated as roads were blocked. Some 416 m of road was destroyed in the Rio Grande valley; J$ 5.26M was spent on clearing the roads. Short-term rehabilitation costs for roads and bridges is estimated at J$43.15M (NRCA,1998).
· Public water systems were destroyed.
· Short-term rehabilitation costs for drainage and water and sewerage is estimated at J$ 36M (NRCA, 1998).

· Power and telephone services were disrupted. · The short term rehabilitation cost for the agricultural sector is estimated at J$ 32.8M (NRCA, 1998).
· The storm displaced some 3,008 persons in Portland; with the Ministry of Social Security providing immediate assistance of some J$ 14.3M and the total assistance was expected at J$ 46M (NRCA, 1998).
· The total rehabilitation cost is estimated at J$ 113.3M( approximately US$ 3.2M)(NRCA, 1998).
· Landslides appear to be the main agent of soil erosion in the valley. Approximately 50,000 m3 of sediments were removed by 1998 landslides along the Fellowship road.
· Landslide blockage of roads and hiking trails affected the ecotourism in the Rio Grande valley.
· Data on health impacts/ psychological effects/ trauma not available.

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