Hurricane Dean, the first of the Atlantic season, battered the southern coast of Jamaica with heavy rains and sustained winds as it passed offshore late Sunday. On August 20, 2007, Career Communications Group Publisher and CEO Tyrone Taborn gave an eyewitness account on National Public Radio. Here are excerpts from his interview with News and Notes’ Farai Chideya.
”Montego Bay where I am did not take the kind of damage that was anticipated,” said Taborn from his hotel where he and his family opted to ride out the storm. “Yesterday morning there was a strong breeze and the winds picked up, pushing trees three stories high.” Taborn put the winds at about 60 mph. However, apart from gale winds and rain he experienced on a brief jaunt outside, he said he and his family were fine.
“I am amazed at the state of emergency the government of Jamaica put in place. They were absolutely prepared. They shut down electricity and different grids went off as the day went on,” Taborn said. “The hotel had food, water, and lots of security guards There’s been no crime in the aftermath. As a tourist I felt safe and embraced by the wonderful people of Jamaica who have done so much to rebuild tourism.”
Not since 1950 has Jamaica seen anything like this. The last hurricane to hit the island was Ivan, in 2004. Hurricane Gilbert battered Jamaica in 1988.
