VZCZCXRO1001
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHKG #0761/01 2411848
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281848Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6711
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000761 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO GUSTAV MONITORING GROUP 
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: GUSTAV STORM SITUATION REPORT 2 
 
REF: KINGSTON 760 
 
WARDEN MESSAGE ISSUE 
-------------------- 
 
¶1. The Consular section has issued a Warden Message at 11AM 
entitled, "Tropical Storm Gustav Update - U.S. Embassy Suspends 
Normal Operations" to alert U.S. citizens residing in and traveling 
to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands that the U.S. Embassy in Kingston 
has suspended normal operations on August 28 because of the 
anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Gustav.  The consular section 
has received very few calls from AmCits in regard to the storm. 
 
JAMAICA 
------- 
 
¶2. The ConOff deployed to Montego Bay and Consular Agent are 
liaising with tourist resorts on the northern coast and distributing 
the Warden's message that was transmitted at 11 AM today. 
 
¶3. The operations center at Sangster Airport in Montego Bay said 
flights are still arriving and departing, but the airport will close 
at 4PM.  The operations center at Norman Manly Airport in Kingston 
closed at 1 PM 
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS 
-------------- 
 
¶4. Cayman Government is considering a mandatory evacuation of all 
non-essential personnel.  Post will continue to monitor these 
developments and report to the Gustav Monitoring Group. 
 
- Cayman Government is working with Cayman Air, American Airlines 
and Delta to schedule additional flights before noon tomorrow.  The 
airport is expected to close after the last flight on Friday, 
approximately 1:30p.m., weather permitting. 
 
- We understand from the British High Commission that they have two 
ships near Cayman that could assist with an ordered evacuation. 
 
- DHS Kingston is liaising with Customs and Border Protection to 
provide assistance to Americans and others who do not have proper 
travel documentation 
 
USAID 
------ 
¶4.  OFDA is activating its regional disaster response consultant to 
arrive in Kingston on next available flight. 
 
Long Lines At Kingston Gas Stations/Grocery Stores 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Emboffs report that lines at a popular grocery store are out the 
door.  Gas stations also have very long lines for fuel.  Some stores 
have closed and there is heavy traffic downtown. 
 
Embassy Personnel to Depart at 3 PM 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶6. Embassy personnel will depart their offices after the 2PM 
conference call (3PM Eastern Standard Time) to secure in their 
residences.  Contact numbers for key personnel are included below: 
- Deputy Chief of Mission, James Heg 876-631-8113 and 876-702-6466 
and 876-361-1019 
 
- Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO), Sean Osner 876-631-9965 
and 876-383-88905 
 
- Consul, Ed Wehrli 876-702-6018 and 876-361-1045 
 
- American Citizen Services Officer, Steve Brault 876-881-7681 and 
876-631-3446 
 
Embassy Expects Late Opening On August 29 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  The Embassy expects to open at 9:00 AM on Friday the 29th.  All 
staff have been advised to make appropriate plans to be at work by 
9:00.  Mission management will assess conditions first thing in the 
morning and activate the phone tree to notify staff of any change 
before 8:00AM. 
The management section has also worked on boarding up windows on 
 
KINGSTON 00000761  002 OF 002 
 
 
unoccupied housing units in the Powell Plaza residential building. 
JOHNSON