VZCZCXRO0795
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0760/01 2411500
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281500Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6708
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINGSTON 000760 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX) (VDEPIRRO) 
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY) 
S/ES - O 
DSCC 
DS/IP/WHA 
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC EAIR ECON CASC PINR XL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: CAT 1 STORM GUSTAV SITUATION REPORT 1 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. The predicted track and intensity of Category 1 Storm Gustav 
shifted significantly overnight, and was now predicted to pass just 
south of Jamaica during the day at winds approaching hurricane 
force.  DCM invoked emergency telephone tree at 0645 local time. 
Normal embassy and consular operations to be suspended for the day, 
and only personnel essential to dealing with the situation are to 
report.  Ambassador and Peace Corps Director decided to proceed with 
swearing in ceremony for 10 AM.  DCM notified Operations center of 
revised Mission posture. 
 
News Reports 
------------ 
 
¶2. CNN news is reporting that Tropical Storm Gustav is picking up 
steam and advancing toward Jamaica.  According to weather reports 
Gustav is expected to keep strengthening over the next 48 hours 
saying "Gustav could regain hurricane strength by Friday," the 
advisory said. CNN is also reporting that the storm is reforming to 
the south and its center may pass close to Jamaica later Thursday. 
The Government of Jamaica has issued a hurricane warning and has 
suspended normal business operations. 
 
Airports Open, Flights Cancelled 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  The operations centers as Norman Manley Airport, Kingston and 
Sangster Airport, Montego Bay claim they are open for normal 
business operations.  However, a representative from Air Jamaica 
said all Air Jamaica flights are cancelled in and out of Jamaica. An 
American Airline representative said a 10 AM flight out of Jamaica 
is still scheduled to depart and a 1 PM flight from the U.S. is 
still scheduled to arrive.  NOTE:  Given the way the storm is moving 
it is likely any flights in to Jamaica will soon be diverted away in 
preparation for the storm. END NOTE. 
 
Embassy Updates by Section 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. CONSULAR SECTION: 
 
- The Consular Section is closed for all normal services, including 
American Citizen Services and visa services, on Thursday August 28. 
 
 
- The section will send out a Warden Announcement ASAP notifying 
American citizens of the Consular Section's closing on August 28 and 
advising everyone to take appropriate action to protect themselves 
as Gustav's effects are felt  in Jamaica. 
 
- The section is staying in close contact with the two consular 
officers that were pre-deployed to the Cayman Islands and Montego 
Bay on August 26 and 27, respectively. 
 
- The Consul General, ACS Unit Chief, and ACS Vice Consul are in the 
office this morning to ensure that American citizens are 
well-served. 
 
¶5. MANAGEMENT SECTION: 
 
- All residential generators being topped off with fuel this 
morning. 
 
- Maintenance staff taking measures at Powell Plaza and other 
government-owned housing to protect facilities. 
 
- All loose items being put inside at NEC.  Sandbags are being 
installed to prevent drain blockage and flooding of lower end of 
site. 
 
- Vehicles being moved to avoid damage from falling tree limbs 
 
- All non-emergency staff sent home 
 
¶6. COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICE 
 
- At 7 AM - American International School contacted the CLO to 
inform us that school had decided to close today due to a hurricane 
watch that has been issued for 12 noon today. 
 
- Bus drivers and parents were notified and children picked up were 
returned home and also calls and emails were sent out to parents to 
inform them of the closure. 
 
KINGSTON 00000760  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶7. USAID: 
 
- USAID has closed its office today with the exception of several 
staff that will be on stand-by to monitor any potential request for 
disaster assistance. 
 
- USAID staff are in contact with the USAID/OFDA Disaster Risk 
Management Specialist and is being updated on ODPEM actions on an 
hourly basis. 
 
- USAID has pre-positioned supplies located in its Miami warehouse 
and is ready to provide assistance if a request is made by the GOJ. 
 
 
- Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) has received a list of 
needs from Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management 
(ODPEM) within the GOJ should a disaster be declared. 
 
¶8. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE 
 
- Public Affairs has sent out a press release informing the public 
that the U.S. Embassy is Closed on August 28 and to remind people 
that it will also be closed for the holiday on September 1. 
 
¶9. REGIONAL SECRUITY OFFICE 
 
- RSO Kingston office is fully staffed with RSO, ARSO, ARSO/I, and 
RSO OMS. 
 
- MSG Detachment at full strength minus 1 Marine (4/1). 
 
- Local Guard Force is in place at all locations, and at Full 
Strength.  Statis, outdoor local guard positions may be moved during 
the storm, for the safety of the guards.  In this case, roving 
patrols will be utilized until the storm diminishes. 
 
- RSO Surveillance Detection (SD) team has been sent home from their 
outside positions. 
 
- 7-man DS/ATA team coordinated by former DSS SA Dave Haag has 
cancelled today's training classes, and is returning to the Hilton 
hotel to ride out the storm.  Sufficient food and water is with 
trainers for 1-2 days.  This TDY staff is prepared to move to the 
NEC if the storm rises to a Category 3 or higher, or if the decision 
is made to move personnel to the NEC. 
 
- Coordinating with MGT, IPC and CONS for the conduct of Embassy 
operations. 
 
BACKGROUND: CORE EAC MEETINGS AUG 26-27 
--------------------------------------- 
 
- Embassy Kingston Core EAC (DCM, CG, ACS, MGT, MDRO, RSO) met 
variously beginning August 26 to assess evolving situation with 
respect to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Gustav and to make decisions 
concerning our Mission's posture. 
 
- We held the first meeting at 0800 Kingston time 8/26 following 
morning forecast from National Hurricane Center (NHC) that put 
Jamaica within the cone of Gustav.   Storm was forecast to pass 
north of Jamaica south of Cuba, and to reach vicinity of Caymans. 
We decided to cancel previously a scheduled trip to Caymans by CONS 
and RSO to examine new site for consular agency.  MDRO reported OFDA 
had people on standby in Florida ready to deploy.  We determined to 
prepare for possible decision to pre-deploy consular personnel to 
Jamaican north coast and Caymans.  Consular undertook to alert 
consular agents and to prepare and clear a warden message.  WHA/CAR 
notified of our revised posture. 
 
- Kingston core EAC met again at 1530 local time 8/26, at which time 
it was determined to deploy consular officer Meagan Call to the 
Caymans, departing on 8 AM flight 8/27.  Predicted storm track 
remained as before.  This flight was only available opportunity to 
deploy to Caymans before predicted storm arrival.  Warden message 
had been cleared by Washington and sent out.  Report from Caymans 
consular agent discussed.  Decision to deploy consular officer to 
Montego Bay deferred until morning of 8/27. 
 
- Kingston core EAC reconvened at 0800 local time 8/27.  Predicted 
storm track remained as before.  Decision deferred to deploy 
consular officer to Montego Bay.  MDRO reported attending meeting 
hosted by UN on disaster preparedness.  Jamaican agency ODPEM 
reported 140 priority shelters on island, 8000 beds/blankets 
available.  Relief supplies depleted since Dean in 2007 and in need 
 
KINGSTON 00000760  003 OF 003 
 
 
of replenishment.  Early warning issued re possible flooding in 
eastern parishes. 
 
- Core EAC met 1130 8/27 and decided to deploy consular officer Beth 
Howard and Embassy car/driver to Montego Bay.  Forecast Gustav track 
essentially unchanged, but storm progress slowed and storm weakened 
over Haiti.  Reports from consular agents in Caymans and Montego Bay 
discussed. 
 
- Core EAC met 1530 local time 8/27.  RSO reported circulation of 
updates to Cascade phone list and cell phone lists.  No change to 
predicted Gustav track or Mission posture. 
JOHNSON