Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Lydia Richards, councillor for the Bensonton division in St Ann, said most farms in the area had been severely hit by the storm. - file

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

A Gusty hail storm slammed the agricultural districts of York Castle and Gravel Hill in southeast St Ann Monday, causing extensive damage to several houses and farms in the area.

Preliminary reports have confirmed that one house lost its entire roof while at least four others were badly damaged.

But it was the many farms in the area that took the brunt of the battering, leaving several acres of cabbage, Scotch bonnet pepper, yam and other farm produce destroyed.

Reports are that, on Monday afternoon, sections of southern St Ann were hit by heavy wind and rainfall when the weather worsened and the heavens rained down hail.

The adverse weather conditions lasted more than 90 minutes.

Councillor for the Bensonton division in St Ann, Lydia Richards, said communities were in the clutches of fear during nature's assault.

Most farms devastated

"The people were so frightened because a lot of hail fell, some as big as a fist. Big pieces of ice and these fell in both York Castle and Gravel Hill," she explained.

Richards said that most farms in the area had been devastated by the storm.

The area is also one of Jamaica's prime vegetable-growing breadbaskets, which could affect markets dependent on cabbage, lettuce and Scotch bonnet pepper.

Richards said Lisa Hanna, member of parliament for the South East St Ann constituency, had already provided some assistance to residents whose roofs were damaged. Help is also being sought from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority to restore the farms as soon as possible.