TROPICAL STORM Isidore moved away from the island last night after dumping flood rains and disrupting normal activity across the island yesterday.
Roads and homes were flooded, events postponed, schools closed for the day and businesses locked down half day. In the Corporate Area scores of home-bound cars were caught in a bottleneck for hours, especially on Marcus Garvey Drive and the Mandela Highway in Kingston.
CLEARER SKIES TODAY
But, much clearer weather is expected today. The 5 p.m. bulletin from the Meteorological Service said that a storm warning was still in force as Isidore continued to gather strength as it moved slowly to the northwest.
At 4 p.m. yesterday, the storm's centre was located about 80 kilometres north-northwest of Negril Point, Jamaica. Maximum sustained winds had increased near 95 km/h with higher gusts. It was expected to reach hurricane strength within 24 hours. But, the projected northwestern track would move the centre further away from Jamaica as of last night.
Flooding was reported in several communities islandwide last night. In St. Catherine, the Flat Bridge was impassable and flooding was reported in Ensom Acres, where water overflowed a gully affecting several houses. Winters Pen, St. Jago Meadows, Villanova, Fairview Park and St. John's Heights also had several homes flooded out.
Sharpers Lane in Old Harbour was also affected. Flooding was also reported at Rocky Point, Eveter and Salt River in Clarendon. In St. Thomas, the Yallahs fording was impassable; in Hanover, Malcolm Heights and Icebrissette near Lucea were flooded and there were landslides on the Dykes Hill Road in Clarendon.
Businesses affected included Air Jamaica Express where all domestic and international flights were cancelled. The Jamaica Urban Transit Company was also forced to re-route buses which normally travel along Marcus Garvey Drive and some routes originating from the Portmore area had to be diverted to Spanish Town Road.
