AS WINDS from Tropical Storm Gustav picked up yesterday, a frantic Cherice Troupe led the way into her one-room home in a tenement at Rum Lane, Central Kingston.

The 19-year-old Troupe pointed to holes in her zinc roof. She was distressed that, for the second time in one year, she might have to leave her home.

"Mi nuh want mi housetop blow off, mi tell yuh the truth," said the mother of a three-year-old daughter. "Mi nuh waan go a no shelter again."

Troupe said she had to take refuge at the nearby Kingston Technical High School last August when Hurricane Dean hit Jamaica, destroying several homes in Rum Lane. Her neighbour, 52-year-old Ralston Norris, also panicked as Gustav approached Jamaica.

"Mi a pray sey it nuh come ... Mi cyaan manage nuthin like dat again," said Norris, whose one-room home was also damaged by Ivan.

Another round

Just a stone's throw away, at Wildman Street, the scene was not as charged. Some men drank beer and played domino at a bar, and seemed not overly worried about Gustav. However, they said they were still recovering from Dean and were not prepared to deal with another round of devastation.

"Wi a poor people yuh nuh, an' school soon open. Mi a pray sey wi nuh get nuh further damage," said Victor Powell, who also suffered roof damage when Dean hit.

Yesterday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said 15 shelters were activated throughout Kingston and St Andrew.