Hurricane Dean Effects on Portland Parish

Hurricane Dean Effects on Portland Parish

After the caribbean hurricane forecast predicted a full front hit on Jamaica, August 20 2007 the Northern edge of Hurricane Dean slammed into the East and South coasts. The storm passed the island to the south and the wind damage was held to a minimum however the sea rose up angrily and pounded the coasts. Hard hit was Long Bay beach. Our favorite beach bar “Jackie’s Midway Bar” is no more.

Before and After-Jackie's Bar all mash up

The Yahimba cottages were extremely hard hit with only 1 cabin remaining and it in dire straits. Their bar (formerly “Cool Runnings”) severely mashed up and closed. A sign stating “Yahimba Closed due to Hurricane, reopening spring 2008” is posted but the amount of work to recreate the cabins is daunting. Chill Out restaurant is up and running, blue tarps covering the damaged roof and the seaside patio gone. Several other beach side bars spiffed up and reopened. Blue Heaven Guesthouse (made of concrete) is totally intact. Even the paint job survived. The sea can take the buildings and cause havoc but it cannot rob the beauty of the place, which is still quite evident.

The fishing village Manchioneal is back to normal, the small buildings along the coast rebuilt using the debris from the originals. Interesting to see the patchwork lumber bearing colors and names of previous businesses enmeshed in the fabric of the new buildings.

Zion Country reopened in October and is sporting a new beach, new decks on the guesthouses, a beautiful new shower building housing 3 new showers, a new sink, mirror and electrical hook up. Leave it up to Free I to upgrade the hurricane damage to make his guesthouse even more comfortable.

Winnifred Beach seemed to be no worse for the wear. The sea came up to the door of Cynthia and Painters restaurant but no further. The rest of the beach bars and cooking stations have been rebuilt and look as they always had. Winnifred is still one of the most laid back and friendly places to enjoy.