portmore evacuation residents guide - ODPEM

RESIDENTS GUIDE TO
THE EVACUATION OF AND
RETURN TO PORTMORE
Prepared by the Mitigation, Planning and Research Division (MPRD) of the Office of
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road
Kingston 4
Tele: (876)928-5111-4
Fax: (876)928-5503
E-mail: mprd@cwjamica.com
Website: www.odpem.org/
THE OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
(ODPEM)
1999

INTRODUCTION
Jamaicans are more informed about hurricanes
now than in 1951 when Hurricane Charley
struck. However, despite this, we were still not as
prepared as we should have been for the
onslaught of Hurricane Gilbert. Its devastating
impact could have been minimized if we were
better prepared.
Portmore is vulnerable to meteorologically
induced events such as hurricanes, tropical
storms and storm surges. This is due to the fact
that many of the communities in the area are
located below the 10’ contour. What this means
is that any storm, ranging from a category 1-3
(75 mph–130 mph) can produce storm surge
heights of 4-12 feet and would have disastrous
effects on those communities below the 10’
contour. All of this has led to the need for an
Evacuation Plan. The Portmore Evacuation Plan
aims to ensure that arrangements are in place to
evacuate the citizens out of Portmore before any
such event.
This guide will provide the necessary
information to residents of Portmore if an
evacuation is required and will also attempt to
give basic
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1

HURRICANES………..What are they
Hurricanes have been described as “The Greatest
Storms on Earth” and they kill more people than
any other kind of storm. The wind speeds of
hurricanes are 119 km per hour and greater,
blowing around a calm centre called an “eye”.
The most destructive elements of a hurricane are
the storm surges, high winds and flood producing
rains.
Hurricanes can span over 483 km. Although they
cannot be controlled, with adequate warning and
the observance of safety precautions, lives and
property can be saved.
The storm surge is the most dangerous of the 3
major hazards – storm surges, high winds and
flood rains - accompanying a hurricane. This is a
great dome of water, often as much as 80 km
wide, that sweeps across the coastline. This
surge, aided by the hammering effect of breaking
waves, acts like a giant bulldozer, sweeping
everything in its path. The stronger the hurricane,
the higher and more powerful the surge will be.
The awesome, destructive potential of storm
surges can hardly be over-estimated. Records of
2 42

storm surge damage in Jamaica go beyond 300
years. A storm surge, produced by a hurricane in
1722 with maximum wave heights of 4.85m, was
responsible for the destruction of the settlement
of Queenstown, now known as Passage Fort. In
1722, 1780 and earlier in this century, 1912, it is
known that Savanna-La-Mar was extensively
damaged by storm surges. Other south coast
towns which have been affected by surges
include Old Harbour, Kingston and Port Royal.
Hurricane Allen in 1980 brought surges of over
12m.
If you live in a flood prone area you should plan
to leave during a hurricane. Many people lose
their lives during a hurricane as a result of
drowning.
WHAT TO DO IF AN EVACUATION
IS NECESSARY
ALERT PHASE
41
Within 48 hours before
the impact of an event,
for example, a
hurricane, residents of
Portmore will be alerted
as to the impending situation through the
3

media. Information on all operable shelters and
assembly points and their locations will also be
made known to the residents.
THE EVACUATION PHASE
The evacuation phase will occur within 24 hours
before impact of the hazard. The general
procedure for the evacuation of
communities are as follows:
1). An alert is given to evacuate;
2). Residents proceed to the nearest Assembly
Point in their community;
3). Residents will then be organised and
prepared for evacuation; and
4). Residents board buses to be evacuated.
Procedures for Evacuation:
Transportation
The evacuation of Portmore will be by 2 types of
transportation. These are Private and Public
transportation.
I. Evacuation by Private Transportation
Once the evacuation advice is given residents
with their own transportation will be allowed
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CONTACT LIST
PLACE ADDRESS TELEPHON
E
ODPEM
Portmore
HEART
Academy
St. Catherine
Parish
Council
Jamaica Red
Cross
The
Salvation
Army
National
Water
Commission
Jamaica Fire
Brigade
Bridgeport
Police
Station
12 Camp
Road,
Kingston 4
Portsmouth,
Waterford,
P.O. St.
Catherine
P.O. Box 52,
Spanish Town
P.O. Parade
Square, St.
Catherine
Central
Village, St.
Catherine
3 Waterloo
Road,
Kingston 10
4 Marescaux
Road,
Kingston 5
14 Port Royal
Street,
Kingston
Bridgeport,
St. Catherine
FAX
928-5111-4 928-5503
984-3111-2
907-0296
907-1795
984-2528
984-7860-2 984-8272
929-6190-2
906-9020 906-9019
922-0027
922-0007
988-2697
967-3594
to choose one of the following routes out of
Portmore or out of the affected areas in
Portmore.
The routes are:
1). Waterford Dyke Road onto the Mandela
Highway;
2). Gregory Park Main Road onto the Mandela
Highway;
3). North Dyke Road onto the Mandela
Highway;
4). Dawkins Drive onto the Causeway Main
Road (one way thoroughfare out of Portmore);
5). Augusta Drive (Port Henderson Road) onto
the Causeway Main Road;
6). Dunbenholding Main Road onto the Spanish
Town Bypass;
7). Bernard Lodge Main Road onto the Spanish
Town Bypass; and
8). Lakes Pen and Grange Lane Main Roads will
be used as alternate routes to Spanish Town if the
situation warrants.
Private transportation will commence evacuation
once an alert is given to evacuate.
Persons with own transportation should take all
members of their household with them. Have a
5

include any important documents and any
prescribed medications.
II. Evacuation by Public Transportation
Residents of Portmore without their own means
of transportation will be evacuated by Public
Buses from the Franchise Operator of Portmore.
Each bus will be issued a map which will
indicate the evacuation routes for the specified
Assembly Points they will be evacuating.
buses to go to the shelters.
Assembly Point Manager:
Person responsible for approving the processing
of evacuees.
Phases of Evacuation
There are 4 phases of evacuation. Priority Zones
will be evacuated in phases 1-3 and Secondary
Zones will be evacuated in phase 4 (see below).
However, the evacuation procedure will be
altered to commence with the community(s) that
is, at the time, rendered most vulnerable to the
impending or occurring disaster. This is
irregardless of which zone the community(s) is
located.
Priority Zones
Priority Zones are those areas which are most
vulnerable to meteorologically induced events,
6
38

TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Priority Zones:
Those areas in Portmore which are most
vulnerable to meteorologically induced events,
such as hurricanes and tropical storms.
Secondary Zones:
Those areas which are less vulnerable and less
prone to meteorologically induced events.
Assembly Points:
Places where persons relying on public
transportation to the designated shelters should
gather.
Shelters:
Temporary locations of safety for those evacuees
who are evacuating their homes as a result of
disasters of a destructive nature.
Evacuation Routes:
Safe routes to be taken from the area at risk.
Sorter/Sorting Officer:
Persons responsible for registering evacuees.
Loader/Dispatcher:
Responsible for loading evacuees onto the
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hence the need to evacuate these communities
first. These communities are also made
vulnerable to disasters by improper drainage
designs.
There are 6 Priority Zones comprised of 21
Assembly Points (see pg. 8) and 22 communities.
Secondary Zones
Secondary Zones are those areas which are less
vulnerable and less prone to meteorologically
induced events. There are 3 Secondary Zones,
comprised of 12 Assembly Points and 25
communities.
Phase I
In the first phase of evacuation all zones’
Assembly Points will be activated and Priority
Zones 1,2,5 and 6 communities will
simultaneously commence evacuation within 30
minutes of the evacuation alert. There are 16
Assembly Points in the 14 communities that will
be evacuated in the first phase.
The routes for the Priority Zones in phase I are:
1). Priority Zone 1:
7

Mandela Highway to Kingston
b. via Christian Pen Community via Mandela
Highway to Kingston
2). Priority Zone 2
a. via the Causeway Main Road to Kingston
3). Priority Zone 5
a. via Bernard Lodge to Spanish Town
4). Priority Zone 6
a. via the Dunbenholding Road to Spanish
Town
Phase II
Phase II of the evacuation will begin between 30
minutes-45 minutes after phase I. Priority Zone
4 will be the only zone to be evacuated. There is
only 1 Assembly Point to facilitate 2
communities to be evacuated.
The route for Priority Zone 4 is via the
Causeway to Kingston.
Phase IV
This last phase consists of the evacuation of the
Secondary Zones. At this time the third phase
8
c). Briefs evacuees of their destination and other
relevant procedures.
TRANSPORT PERSONNEL
Portmore Mini Bus Association
a). Coordinate movement of evacuees from
Assembly Point to shelters.
b). Advise on condition of evacuation routes.
c). Provide listing of personnel within the
Association.
d). Ensure that drivers/conductors provide
information on number of evacuees transported.
WELFARE PERSONNEL
Shelter Managers
a). Report to assigned shelter.
b). Register evacuees.
c). Provide welfare support.
COMMUNICATION PERSONNEL
A). Identify personnel and train them to
appropriately provide communication link
between Assembly Points, Shelters and the EOC.
b). Provide reports on road conditions to EOC.
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Sorting Officer 1:
a). Briefs families and individuals of the
evacuation process.
b). Distributes and instructs families and
individuals on how to complete Population
Evacuation Form.
c). Directs families and individuals to the waiting
area(s).
Sorting Officer 2:
a). Collects and ensure that each family and
individual Population Evacuation Form is
complete with the necessary information.
b). Conduct head count of families and
individuals to the loading area(s) for
transportation.
c). Continue to brief evacuees of evacuation
procedures.
Loading Officer:
a). Check each family and individual to
correspond with their respective Population
Evacuation Form as they are loaded onto
transportation for evacuation.
b). Ensure that all family members are loaded on
to the same transportation.
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and all the other Priority Zones should be
completely evacuated to commence this phase.
However, if the situation warrants, evacuation of
phase IV may begin within 15 minutes–30
minutes after phase III has commenced.
Secondary Zones 1,2 and 3 communities will
commence evacuation simultaneously using the
following routes:
1). Secondary Zone 1
via the Mandela Highway to Kingston
2). Secondary Zone 2
via the Bernard Lodge Road to Spanish
Town
3). Secondary Zone 3
via the Dunbenholding Road to Spanish
Town.
There are 10 Assembly Points serving 26
communities to be evacuated.
Assembly Points
Assembly Points are places where persons,
relying on public transportation to the designated
shelters, should gather. Examples of these
9

places are schools, community centres and
churches.
There are different Assembly Points for each
zone. Those for the Priority Zones are:
A. Schools:
1. Waterford Infant, Primary and Comprehensive
High Schools;
2. Naggo’s Head Primary;
3. Greater Portmore Primary;
4. Braeton All Age/SDC Sports Club;
5. Greater Portmore Basic and High School;
6. Belmont Park Primary; and
7. Bridgeport Comprehensive High School.
B. Community Centres:
1. West Port;
2. Edgewater;
3. Westchester; and
4. Southborough.
C. Churches;
1. Passage Fort Gospel Assembly; and
2. Bayside New Testament
RESPONSE TEAM AND THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES
In order for residents to feel comfortable with the
whole evacuation process and the personnel
involved, here are the various roles and their
responsibilities in the process of evacuation.
Assembly Point Manager
a). This person coordinates all evacuation
procedure and activity at the Assembly Point.
b). Liaise with the Portmore Emergency
Operations Centre (EOC) and the Transport
Authority personnel.
c). Issue periodic status reports of Assembly
Points to ODPEM and operational EOC.
d). Authorizes Population Evacuation Form
package for each bus before its departure.
e). Dispatches transportation to respective
collection areas/destination.
f). Maintains a count of the number of evacuees
evacuating the assigned Assembly Points.
g). Maintains a count of the number of evacuees
dispatched/sent to the different collection areas/
destinations from the assigned Assembly Point.
10
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6. Christian Pen Main Road, Waterford Dyke
Road, Lakes Pen Main Road and North Dyke
Road.
7. North Dyke Road and Bernard Lodge Main
Road.
8. Newland Main Road and Naggo Head Drive.
9. Braeton Parkway and North Dyke Road.
10. Braeton Parkway and Newland Main Road.
11. Naggo Head Drive and Hellshire Main Road.
12. Naggo Head Drive and Braeton Parkway.
13. Augusta Drive (Port Henderson Main Road)
and Portmore Parkway.
! REMEMBER !
Please drive carefully as road conditions may
be hazardous. Follow the directions of any
security personnel who may be directing the
flow of traffic.
D. Other
1. Passage Fort Football Field;
2. Braeton Housing Scheme “Open Space”; and
3. Greater Portmore Learning Resource Centre.
The Assembly Points for Secondary Zones are:
A. Schools;
1. Ascot Primary and High School.
B. Community Centres
1. Southborough
C. Churches;
1. Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church.
D. Other:
1. Cumberland Meadows “Open Space”;
2. Braeton Housing Scheme “Open Space”; and
3. Portmore Pines Plaza.
C. Churches:
1. Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church.
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11

D. Other:
1. Cumberland Meadows “Open Space”;
2. Braeton Housing Scheme “Open Space”; and
3. Portmore Pines Plaza.
Evacuation Routes
Evacuation routes are safe routes to be taken
from the area at risk.
The following table shows the list of Zones, the
Communities in each zone, their various
Assembly Points and their respective routes.
(See map on page 16 for the evacuation routes
as outlined in the table.)
RETURNING AFTER THE DISASTER
Once the all clear is given residents of Portmore
are to return to their homes as safely as possible.
Routes to utilise are the Mandela Highway and
the Causeway Main Road
To assist in the smooth return of residents into
the area after the hazard threat has subsided there
will be several Police Traffic Control Points to
facilitate traffic flow. These Police Traffic
Control Points will be at the following
intersections:
1. Dawkins Drive, Causeway Main Road and
Newland Main Road.
2. Portmore Parkway, Portmore Drive and West
Parade.
3. Portmore Parkway, Passage Fort Drive,
Waterford Parkway and Waterford Dyke Road.
4. Passage Fort, Gregory Park Main Road and
Newland Main Road.
5. Grange Lane Main Road and North Dyke
Road.
12
32

POPULATION EVACUATION FORM
NAME: ADDRESS:
SEX/AGE COMMENTS EMBARKMENT COMMUNITY
FAMILY
MEMBERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
FOR SHELTER
MANAGER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY:
SORTING OFFICER 1: SHELTER: ZONE:
SORTING OFFICER 2: ASSEMBLY POINT MANAGER: BUS #:
ASSEMBLY POINT #:
ZONES COMMUNITIES ASSEMBLY
POINTS
Priority Zone 1 Waterford 1)Waterford
Infant School
2)Waterford
Primary School
3)Waterford
Comprehensive
High School
Priority Zone 2
Caymanas Gardens
Site A
Portsmouth
Passage Fort
Independence City
Westchester
4)Caymanas
Race Track
Parking Lot
5)Portsmouth
Primary School
6)Passage Fort
Gospel
Assembly
7)Passage Fort
Football Field
8)Westchester
Community
Centre
Priority Zone 3 Edgewater 9)Edgewater
Baptist Church
Priority Zone 3 Bridgeview 10)Edgewater
Community
Centre
Garveymeade
West Meade
West Port
Bridgeport
11)West Port
Community
Centre
12)Bridgeport
Comprehensive
High School
ROUTES
Route 1 North to
Kingston
(R1NKgn)
Route 7 North to
Kingston
(R7NKgn)
Route 1 North to
Kingston
(R1NKgn)
Route 2 East to
Kingston
(R2EKgn)
Route 2 East to
Kingston
(R2EKgn)
Route 3 East to
Kingston
(R3EKgn)
Route 3 East to
Kingston
(R3EKgn)
Route 3 East to
Kingston
(R3EKgn)
Route 3 East to
Kingston
(R3EKgn)
13

ZONES COMMUNITIES ASSEMBLY
POINTS
ROUTES
AT THE ASSEMBLY POINTS
Priority Zone 4
West Bay
Port Henderson
13)Bayside New
Testament Church
of God
Route 4 East to
Kingston
(R4EKgn)
Priority Zone 5 Southborough 14)Southborough
Community
Centre
15)Naggo Head
Primary School
Route 5 West to
Spanish Town
(R5WSpTwn)
Marine Park
Assembly Point
28
Braeton Housing
Scheme “Open
Space”
Priority Zone 6 Braeton 3&4 16)Braeton All
age School/
,S.D.C Sports
Complex
Queens Park
Kensington
Chedwin
17)Belmount Park
Primary School
18)Greater
Portmore Learning
Resources Centre
Route 5 West to
Spanish Town
(R5WSpTwn)
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6WSpTwn)
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6WSpTwn)
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6WSpTwn)
Once at the Assembly Points residents should be
prepared to fill out registration forms. These
forms are necessary as they will record the
number of persons who will be evacuating
Portmore from each Assembly Point.
The following is an example of the registration
form.
Braeton New Town
Sabina
19)Greater
Portmore Basic
School
20)Greater
Portmore High
School
21)Greater
Portmore School
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6SpTwn)
14
30

opener)
• Drinking water (2 litres per person)
• Eating and cooking utensils
• Personal toilet articles and sanitary needs
• Medication (prescriptions)
• Portable radio and batteries
• Bedding (blankets, etc.)
• Change of clothing
• First aid kit
ZONES COMMUNITIES ASSEMBLY
POINTS
Secondary Zone 1 Christian Pen
Lesser Portmore
Hamilton Gardens
Watson Grove
Gregory Park
Caymanas Gardens
“D”
Independence City
Cumberland
22)Gregory Park
All Age
24)Southborough
Primary
25)Truth
Tabernacle United
Church of Jamaica
ROUTES
Route 7 North to
Kingston
(R7NKgn)
Route 7 North to
Kingston
(R7NKgn)
DO NOT TAKE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES, PETS OR WEAPONS TO
PUBLIC SHELTERS.
For those who are driving remember to drive
carefully. Follow the designated routes.
Secondary Zone 2 Portmore Gardens
Cumberland
Meadows
West Cumberland
Meadows
26)Cumberland
Meadows “Open
Space”
27)Curch of the
Holy Spirit
Anglican
Church
Route 5 West to
Spanish Town
(R5WSpTwn)
Route 5 West to
Spanish Town
(R5WSpTwn)
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
TAKE SHORTCUTS!!!
Braeton
Naggo Head
Newlands
Secondary Zone 3 Portmore Pine
Silver Stone
28)Braeton
Housing Scheme
“Open Space”
Assembly
Points 14 &15
29)Portmore
Pines Plaza
Route 5 West to
Spanish Town
(R5WSpTwn)
Same Route
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6WSpTwn)
29
Belmount Park
Monza
Daytona
Epson
Ascot
Aintree,
Bandown Park
30)Ascot High
School
31)Ascot
Primary School
Route 6 West to
Spanish Town
(R6WSpTwn)
15

MAP SHOWING THE PRESCRIBED EVACUATION
ROUTES FOR EACH ZONE AND ITS COMMUNITIES
IF YOU PLAN TO GO…
...to the home of a friend or relative:
• Make sure that it is not in an area where the
residents have been ordered to evacuate. Take
along emergency supplies for yourself and your
family.
...to another area:
• Take adequate supplies and know the alternate
routes. Make sure the area is not flood prone.
...to a public shelter:
• Make sure you know where the shelters are for
your area. Get information from the Portmore
Parish Disaster Committee at your Parish
Council Office.
Take the following items:
• Blankets and flashlight
• Extra clothing
• Medication and special dietary foods if nonperishable
• Infant’s necessities, e.g., milk, pins, diapers,
baby food, etc.
• Water
• Non-perishable food (don’t forget a manual can
16
28

WHEN THERE IS AN EVACUATION
ORDER
EVACUATION ROUTES AND ASSEMBLY
POINT MAPS.
The following are some important points to
remember when the call for evacuation has been
given. They are as follows:
√ If you live in a flat area where there is the
potential to be swept by dangerous storm waves,
PLAN TO LEAVE.
√ If your house is well built and on a high
ground, out of danger from high tides or rising
streams, CONSIDER STAYING.
√ Be prepared to leave for the house of a friend
or a relative or to take refuge in a public shelter,
such as a school, church or community centre.
√ When leaving your home for a nearby shelter,
take 24 hours supply of food and water. You
should also take a change of clothing, toilet
articles and a blanket/sheet.
√ Remember, a shelter is a temporary place of
safety. It does NOT have the comforts of your
own home. Be prepared for this.
27
17

Shelters
Shelters are temporary locations of safety for
those who are evacuating their homes as a result
of disasters.
The designated shelters for Portmore evacuees
are in the Kingston and St. Andrew area and in
Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
There is 1 shelter in the Kingston and St. Andrew
area and 2 in Spanish Town. These are:
1. Kingston and St. Andrew:
The National Stadium
2. Spanish Town:
G.C. Foster College
José Martí High School
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