On Friday 17 August 2007, Hurricane Dean tore through the eastern Caribbean and then strengthened to Category 4 as it brushed the south coast of Jamaica. MapAction deployed an emergency response team to the island. The team worked closely with government agencies, the UN and Red Cross to assess and map damage and immediate relief needs.

MapAction's team, rapidly mobilised from its base in Buckinghamshire, UK, attempted to reach Jamaica ahead of the hurricane's impact. However, they were delayed by the closure of the island's airports. On reaching the island the day after the storm had passed, the team swung into action within hours and set up a field base in support of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.

During a week in the field, the MapAction team took part in a series of damage and needs assessment missions to coastal towns and villages. More than 16 different situation maps were generated. Also, the team surveyed the extent of the storm surge, which in low-lying areas had reached up to 1km inland: this information will be used by the Jamaican Office for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response (ODPEM) to plan for future emergencies of this type.

For access to maps, deployment diary and more please use the Hurricane Dean tab above or follow this link.