In the early impact of Hurricane Ivan, a huge ackee tree toppled onto a man’s two-apartment home in Grants Pen, St Andrew, while he slept, leaving him stunned as he witnessed the destruction. The Category Four storm, with winds over 140 miles per hour, uprooted trees and sent branches flying, causing widespread damage across the area.

Published Sunday, September 12, 2004

Ivan struck early and hard

By John Myers: Staff Reporter

Gullies overflowed their banks and trees swung hard in the ferocious wind.
Branches were ripped from trees and transformed into speeding missiles, while scores of people waited anxiously along the roadway in the Corporate Area.

It was Friday evening, and the island had just started feeling the initial effects of Hurricane Ivan, the Terrible.

The strength of the dreadful Category Four hurricane, packing winds in excess of 140 miles per hour as it moved toward Jamaica, was evident. Keith Willocks could attest to the intensity of the early winds as he got the scare of his life when a huge ackee tree crashed into his two-apartment house while he was asleep in Grants Pen, St Andrew. Appearing 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 down.

“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.

Gullies overflowed, 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 had the heavy rains started than the gullies began to overflow. On Waterloo Road, several young men were seen warning motorists of the danger of crossing the fording that runs across the roadway. Similar groups of men lined Grants Pen and Cassia Park roads.

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

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