Jamaica Gleaner

Gullies Overflowed

By John Myers, Staff Reporter

Gullies overflowed, tree branches swung hard, some were torn apart while scores of persons waited anxiously along the roadway in the Corporate Area as the
island began feeling the initial effects of Hurricane Ivan the terrible on Friday afternoon.

The strength of the dreadful category four hurricane, which was packing winds in excess of 140 miles an hour as it moved toward Jamaica, was evident from early. Keith Willocks could attest to the extremity of the early winds as he got the scare of his life when a huge ackee tree crashed into his two-apartment house while asleep in Grants Pen, St. Andrew. Appearing to be still in shock, the tall slim man stood in awe as he viewed the damage to his house from outside his small kitchen, while the rain pelted.

"A sleep mi a sleep when mi girlfriend wake mi and show mi di tree," he said as his neighbours gathered around to assist him in the heavy rains and gusty winds.

But this did not deter the many people who gathered in small groups across the capital to watch nature's elements at work early Friday. No sooner after the heavy rains started, the gullies began to overflow with gushing waters. On Waterloo Road, several young men were seen warning motorists of the dangers of crossing the gully which runs agross the roadway. Similarly on Grants Pen Road and Cassia Park Road.

At the Papine market it was business as usual. Vendors pitched their stall to sell ground provisions and other food items, oblivious of the dangerous winds that were to come while others rushed the small grocery shops in the small town at the last minute to stock up on emergency supplies. However, some people did not take any chance, as some persons in Papine and Mona Commons in St. Andrew were seen rushing to a shelter at a nearby church.