Little Rajae Grossett plays with a bottle while sitting adjacent to items owned by his mother, Angella Brooks, after Hurricane Dean totally destroyed their home in Manchioneal, Portland, on Sunday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The passage of Hurricane Dean has affected us all in different ways. While it was a rampaging beast to dwellers in Caribbean Terrace, Kingston, it was only an annoying inconvenience in other areas. Let's take the journey Across The Nation and see how it affected others.

OldHarbour Bay devastated

SPANISH TOWN, ST. CATHERINE:

Devastation is the word that would rightly describe Old Harbour Bay, in St. Catherine following the passage of Hurricane Dean.

A Gleaner news team went into the fishing community, and upon reaching the Old Harbour Bay square, several boats that normally would be on the seaside almost half a mile away, were on the street - taken there by heavy waves.

When the team got to the beach, refrigerators, igloos, fish pots, boats, pans, other utensils and even items of furniture were seen thrown about.

Areas such as Station Lane, Panton Town and Moon were reduced to debris and the odd cry of children shouting for water and food could be heard, while their parents tried to salvage pieces of boats and other material to rebuild.

"Bwoy I neva see wata so high yet, and 'Dean' mek 'Ivan' look like bwoy, and wata reach mi almost a mi neck; no Old Harbour Bay nuf lef boss," remarked Charmaine, a resident of Old Harbour.

The major cry from the residents, however, is one for water. Health implications have arisen from the shortage, as persons are now drinking and using stagnant water to do domestic work. Residents were also seen using water from the sea to do laundry.

- Rasbert Turner

Displaced residents seek assistance

ST. ANN:

The Emergency Operation Centre in St. Ann has reported nine shelters still open in various sections of the parish, housing a total of 109 residents.

St. Ann's disaster coordinator, Alvin Clarke, said there were people, who might have to remain in shelters for some time because their homes have either been destroyed or badly damaged.

So far, preliminary reports have put the total number of houses damaged in St. Ann by Hurricane Dean at 148.

The worst affected areas were in the neighbouring districts of Bohemia, Johnreaid, Casade and Wildcane where the roofs of several houses were blown off and three buildings destroyed.

Both councillor for the area Winston Brown and Jamaica Labour Party candidateErnest Smith are appealing to disaster relief agencies to come to the assistance of displaced residents.

They listed beds, mattresses and food items as the main items needed at this time.

- Devon Evans

Hanover off the hook

The parish of Hanover was left virtually unscathed by Hurricane Dean.

While heavy winds were felt and seas were choppy during the night, there were only intermittent drizzles in most sections of the parish.

The Emergency Operations Centre reported that approximately 1,000 people were housed in hurricane shelters across the parish during the night. However, most returned home.

Except for the loss of electricity supply, disruption in the telephone service and low water pressure, little has changed.

Chairman of the Hanover Parish Disaster Committee and Mayor of Lucea, Vasca Brown, told The Gleaner there was one report of property damage in the coastal town of Hopewell in Eastern Hanover, where an uprooted tree fell on a section of a house. The occupant escaped injury.

Some wooden houses in the town of Lucea also suffered minor damage from high winds. Uncollected garbage was also strewn across the town's main streets and clean-ups were already under way.

Members of the Hanover police, who patrolled the parish say no incident of criminal activity has been reported.

- Claudia Gardner

Trelawny resident dies

Hurricane Dean claimed the life of one Trelawny resident. He is 75-year-old farmer John Robinson of the Battersea District.

Police reports are that he was in the process of going to his neighbour's house because his had been damaged. It is believed he fell, hit his head and died.

He was last seen alive at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday and was discovered in his neighbour's yard at 5:00 a.m. on Monday. No foul play is suspected.

- Richard Morais

One-legged man left to fight the elements

St. Thomas:

The passage of Hurricane Dean has left a trail of destruction in its wake and residents in eastern Jamaica, and more so along the south coast, are today struggling to put the pieces together.

Near complete devastation hit parts of Trinityville in Western St. Thomas and the impact has severely affected 71-year-old Carlos Mighty, who is diabetic and one-legged.

Mr. Mighty is now left to deal with the elements from above, as the roof covering his two-room dwelling was taken by winds associated with 'Dean', leaving only a saturated asbestos ceiling for comfort.

Mr. Mighty recounts to The Gleaner his experience, which he described as nerve-racking.

He said that at times the wind sounded like artillery fire.

As he spoke, tears fell from his eyes.

"I did not know anything like this could happen. For me to be alive today talking to the press, is a miracle, but I thank God," he said.

Mr. Mighty told the Gleaner the disaster office promised to come back with some stuff for him and he is hoping they keep their word.

- Arthur Green