ISLANDERS have been praised by Jersey’s police chief for heeding safety advice during Storm Ciarán, a factor which he said had “helped to avoid any fatalities”.
Robin Smith stressed that clean-up operations would continue this weekend after hurricane-strength winds and a tornado brought down hundreds of trees, scattered debris, battered the coast with large waves, caused flash flooding and dealt extensive damage to properties.
Islanders were advised to stay at home on Thursday and Friday as emergency responders worked around the clock to deal with the aftermath of the storm, with one man branded an “idiot” online after he was caught on camera running up to huge waves as they crashed over a sea wall.
Mr Smith praised the majority of Islanders who had listened to the advice.
He said: “This was a team effort and part of that team has to be Islanders.
“They listened to advice and I give them credit. That was one of the reasons we did not have any fatalities.”
A number of properties – including homes in St Clement where a tornado left a path of destruction in its wake – did suffer substantial damage,
At the peak of the storm, just after 5am on Thursday, a top gust of 101mph was measured at the Airport and exceptionally rare hurricane-force-12 winds were recorded at the Harbour.
A total of 36 households, comprising 91 adults, 33 children and nine pets, were displaced.
At least three people were taken to hospital, one of whom had been discharged by Thursday afternoon, while the other two remained under observation although Mr Smith said their conditions were “not serious”.
He said: “We have had a number of tragedies in the Island over the last 12 months or so. At least we can report after this storm that there has been no reported tragedy. For that, I give credit to Islanders for listening to advice.”
Mr Smith also praised Jersey’s honorary police force, as well as the many other organisations and individuals who had “stepped-up” to help keep Islanders safe.
He added: “I couldn’t be prouder for that but, frankly, everybody needs to step up in these sorts of events. In my view, we are still closer to the start than the end, as there is an enormous amount of work now that needs to go on across the Island.”
