VZCZCXRO3884
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #1264 2302012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 182012Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5201
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001264 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/SPC/SO - JAMES SPOO 
 
US SOUTHCOM FOR BILL VANCIO 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (KHARNE/RBUDDEN) 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC EAID JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING 
 
 
1.(SBU)  In response to the latest tracking of Hurricane Dean, 
Ambassador Johnson chaired an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) 
meeting on Friday august 17, 2007, attended by DCM, CON, RSO, MGT, 
GSO, IMO, DET CDR, OPA, P/E, DHS, USMS, NSA, MLO, DAO, Peace Corps 
and USAID.  The DCM reviewed the current emergency action plan and 
stated that a Category-4 storm requires all Embassy Kingston 
personnel to report to the New Embassy Compound (NEC) until deemed 
safe to return to housing. 
 
2.(U)  USAID Acting Director Jim Harmon gave an update on the storm, 
still predicted to reach Category 4 by the time it reaches the 
vicinity of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands early Sunday morning, 
August 19, 2007. 
 
3.(SBU)  OFDA has sent a team of three people to assist.  They will 
operate from the USAID building and report directly to acting USAID 
Acting Director Jim Harmon. 
 
4.(SBU)  Post's Authorized Departure request was approved this 
morning, and post is in contact with Air Jamaica about getting an 
extra flight, possibly to depart Kingston late August 17, or early 
August 18, with 60 seats reserved for dependents and non-essential 
personnel.  The Management Section will send out an admin notice 
with the details and contact all affected households by phone and/or 
radio with the final details. 
 
5.(SBU) Peace Corps has 107 people who are being split between 
Kingston and Montego Bay.  Peace Corps plans to bring all Kingston 
area volunteers to the NEC for safety during the storm.   During the 
45 years the Peace Corps has been in Jamaica, there has never been 
an evacuation of any volunteers.  Peace Corps has its own organic 
supplies and will not likely require any assistance from State. 
 
6.(SBU)  FMO reports Powell Plaza  is structurally sound enough that 
it will likely be appropriate to house staff during the hurricane if 
the path of the storm changes.   However the Emergency Action Plan 
will be in effect for a Category-3 or Category-4 storm, and all 
personnel not evacuating will report to the NEC. 
 
7.(SBU)  All personnel have been advised to report to the NEC no 
later than 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 18, 2007.  GSO will provide 
shuttle service beginning at 4:00 P.M. for anyone wishing to leave 
their privately owned vehicle in the covered parking of their 
residence. 
 
8.(SBU)  Management and GSO are buying extra supplies, e.g. 300 5 
gallon water bottles, and over 1000 1/2 liter bottles have been 
procured and are being placed at the New Embassy Compound (NEC). 
GSO is also procuring fuel, chain saws, batteries, and 
non-perishable food for use after the storm hits. 
 
9.(SBU)  IMO is setting up computers and phones at Powell Plaza for 
an alternate command center, and provided internet and landlines are 
not impeded, post will be able to operate from both Powell Plaza and 
the NEC, once it is deemed safe to leave the NEC after the storm. 
 
10.(SBU) There are a number of satellite phones at post. IMO reports 
two, the US Marshalls service two, Defense Attache Office (DAO) 
reports two, and the Peace Corps also reports two satellite phones 
available. 
 
11.(SBU ACS estimates as many as 10,000 private American tourists 
may be present on the island, though with the storm likely to hit on 
the weekend, many tourists in the US will likely cancel or change 
their plans to come to Jamaica; so the number may be significantly 
less.  ACS has contacted all major hotels in Montego Bay, the 
largest tourist destination in Jamaica, and confirmed over 3,700 
American guests.  ACS is dispatching two Consular Officers to the 
Montego Bay area early on Saturday August 18, who will link up with 
the area Peace Corps volunteers and provide assistance as needed. 
Peace Corps is providing one satellite phone for emergency 
communications.  The Consular Section is also dispatching one 
Consular Officer to the Cayman Islands, a part of Embassy Kingston's 
Consular District. 
 
12.(SBU)  The EAC will reconvene Saturday morning, August 18, at 
11:00 am for updates on the storm track and any necessary changes to 
the emergency action plan. 
 
JOHNSON