Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE METEOROLOGICAL Office has corroborated eyewitness reports that it was "raining ice" during yesterday's bout of inclement weather, which produced the rare sighting of hail.
"It is actually water coming in the form of ice from the cumulonimbus clouds that give lightning and thunder," explained a meteorological officer.
The officer confirmed reports of the hail falling in sections of Portmore, St. Catherine, and told The Gleaner that it was "definitely seen at the Norman Manley International Airport."
The meteorological officer explained that the water came in this solid form because of the unusual, drastic decline in the earth's surface temperature from the regular 32 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius.
MONSTROUS THUNDERS
Reports reaching The Gleaner are, that, during the heavy rains, which were accompanied by frightening flashes of lightning and monstrous thunders that affected power supply, telephone services and had many persons cowering in fear, loud noises akin to stones being thrown against window panes were heard.
"I thought that somebody was throwing something on the window then I looked outside and saw ice coming down on the lawn as big as ice cubes and there were some really big ones," said Norma Martin of a West Cumberland, Portmore address.
Mrs. Martin, 53, said that the last time she saw hail was when she was a little girl living in rural Jamaica. Apparently fascinated by the hail, Mrs. Martin said that she tasted a piece of the ice made in heaven's fridge and it had an earthly taste.
LASTED FIVE MINUTES
The "ice rain" was said to have lasted about five minutes and there were no reports of serious damage. "It taste just like ice, you put it into your mouth and it melts," she said.
Last night the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reported that floodwaters trapped several persons in a building at Newport West.
Additionally, a release issued by ODPEM stated that the agency was advised by the Meteorological Service that severe thunderstorm activity occurred over the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Mary and St. Catherine.
And there were reports of a freak storm on Thursday evening, which ravaged several houses in the communities of York Town and Coates Pen in Clarendon.
There were unconfirmed reports of flooding in parts of the Corporate Area.
Yesterday ODPEM issued a flood watch warning and urged persons in flood prone areas to evacuate early if they detect rising waters.
Persons living in low-lying and flood prone areas are being asked to observe all the necessary precautions.
Tips from ODPEM
Avoid crossing flooded waterways e.g. rivers, roads, gullies or streams whether on foot or in vehicles.
Avoid washing, playing and travelling in rivers and areas subject to sudden flooding.
Place essential items, appliances and furniture upon concrete blocks, above water level and wrap all vital documents in plastic.
If your home is threatened by flooding, be ready to evacuate. Turn off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switch. If this is not possible, turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances before evacuating.
ODPEM is advising the public that its telephone lines are out of service and that it is working to correct the problem.
