- Updates from the Islands -

- - Jamaica - -

- - - 2002 Hurricane Season - - -

- fourteen?

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 03:38:02 -0500

Hi, all.

It has been overcast and rainy for two days in MoBay, and we have just been
added to the 'strike probabilites' portion of the NHC forecasts.  I am
developing a deep sympathy for the Caymanian and Cuban people!!  With the
general election coming up here on the 16th, a little rain might be a good
thing, to keep cool heads.  But a tropical storm we don't need, the island
is still cleaning up after Lili and Isidore.  Sheesh!  We'll let you know if
anything happens.

Jane in MoBay

- Here We Go Again!!!

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT cybervale.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 01:44:10 -0400

Jamaica is currently faced with another severe weather over the island. In several parishes, namely St. Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland, Clarendon and Trelawny, flash flood watches have been posted for low lying areas while the rest of the island has been put on a severe weather alert. It seens that there is an area of low pressure over the island that is associated with a system off the coast of Nicaragua. There has already been some rains throughout Sunday with scattered showers over the rest of the island. However, this will definitely not bring good news to those parishes that are still experiencing flooding due to the past rains of Isidore and Lili. These newly formed springs and lakes are threatening homes and businesses in such parishes as Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth with specifically the New Market area in St. Elizabeth the worst affected. In fact the water continues to rise here with the height approaching that of the 1970s flooding in that area - the worst in the memory of many Jamaicans. Several persons are still in shelters while others are watching and hoping that the waters will eventually subside. In the meantime we hope that the rains will not be too bad and we will be spared somehow. WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Rains Have Stopped but Flooding Continues

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT cybervale.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 22:28:40 -0400

Hi Everyone,

The rains have stopped over here in Jamaica. However, although the rains have stopped we still have shattered showers here and there and definitely flooding occuring in several parishes. These are expecially the case in Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland where the water has nowhere else to go but up and is causing much havoc and panic in those affected. The Office of Disaster Preparedness are helping those who are affected and have given notices to those who are affected by the flood waters to evacuate to safer areas. In the meantime business and homes are being damaged by these flood waters in the affected parishes and roads are also being damaged. Sections of some roads such as the Mandela Highway in St. Catherine are still covered by water that has overflowed from the nearby swampy. The Bog Walk Gorge is alos still covered by water and has several sections damaged. Some have asked about the hotel areas, especially those along the north coast. So far it seems that they have things under control and there hasn't been word from them that they suffered great losses. The government will be looking towards foreign aid to help with recovery efforts and the effect of Isidore and Lili has been officially categorised as a disaster. In the meantime the country is preparing for the October 16 elections. There are questions as to whether this disaster will affect the People's National Party's chances of winning the general elctions and the forming the next government. We'll see. WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Update

From: Rodman Monique <monique_rodman AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 14:38:57 -0700 (PDT)

Hi all, well it has been 3 straight days of sunshine
for Montego Bay. I am sure that all those visiting
Jamaica from Tuesday of this week and staying in the
Montego Bay area have been enjoying the sun.  The
three day forecast for Montego Bay shows that we might
experience some P.M. thunderstorms today, tomorrow
will be both cloudy and sunny and Saturday will be
mostly cloudy.  However, let's see what happens.    

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- Rain, Rain and More Rain

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 18:23:01 -0400

With Lili out of the way the island is still experiencing scattered showers right across the island. It is expected that we will experience rains for the rest of the week. In the meantime the number of people in shelters are increasing with many communities in St. Thomas still cut off from the rest of the parish and going into Kingston. Westmoreland has the highest number of persons in shelters. In Portmore not too long ago we were experiencing thunder and lightning accompanied by scattered showers. It is still drizzling at the moment. Recovery efforts are still continuing. WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- afterward

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 23:42:35 -0500

Hi, all.

Well, MoBay got off very lightly fromLili.  She passed just a couple of
miles offshore, and we had 36 hours of torrential rain but not too much
wind.  Our trees and beaches survived, mostly.  The water utility is still
coping; our water has been off for 60 hours now but thank the planners for
our cistern!  We had power pretty much throughout, which many people in
Jamaica didn't have and still don't.  I feel sorry for people in St. Thomas,
and other parishes still trying to clean up after Isidore; some folks still
homeless, many people cut off by washed out roads.  Sorry not to have
written sooner, but my ISP was one of the casualties; I got a 14.2 download
speed and kept getting cut off, hardly a hardship considering the damage
others here have suffered, but it forestalled any storm news!

Looking at the next one down the line off the Azores, and hoping that is
either doesn't develop or develops close enough, like that last two, that we
get a TS and not the big H.

Best from MoBay,
Jane

- Storm Over Recovery Begins

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 21:00:39 -0400

Hi everyone,

Now with tropical storm Lili turn Hurricane Lili has left the island the country is now in the process of recovering. Approximately 100 miles of roads have been reported damaged. The worst affected parish is St. Thomas with 3 persons dead as result of drowning and many communities totally cut off from the rest of the parish. The Bog Walk Gorge has been closed since Monday, 30 September and is still closed due to the extensive damages. Its alternatiove route, Barry, is also closed as it is also extensively damaged and motorists have been advised to use the Sligoville route instead. A total of 1500 persons are now in shelters with about a half or more of these persons from the parish of Westmoreland. Many of these persons from Westmoreland were already in these shelters since Isidore. The Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, has decided to solicit financial assistance from overseas to help in recovery efforts. Damage Assessment is still being conducted by the Office of Disaster Preparedness. Agriculture is the worst hit industry with millions of dollars in losses, especially for farmers dealing with vegetables and coffee, according to the Minister of Agriculture. Today, amazingly, the day was pretty hot, considering the weather we have had for the past few days. Some communities are still fighting the flood waters and many individuals are counting their losses. In St. Thomas, especially, many houses were washed away by the flood waters and mudslides and other landslides invaded homes and properties resulting in major losses, such as loss of furniture, clothing, linen, etc. Overall, all the parishes of the island were affected by Lili. And WATER IS EVERYWHERE!!!!! WALK GOOD!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Update

From: Rodman Monique <monique_rodman AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 07:21:22 -0700 (PDT)

It's Tuesday and the sun is out in Montego Bay. The
skies are also very blue. Seems like it will be a
perfect day.  It rained non-stop from Sunday until
late yesterday evening.  However, there were no
reports of major damage to Montego Bay but with Lili
positioned near to the town, the parish team for the
ODPEM office yesterday set up an emergency operation
center at the parish council building. Parishes
including St. Thomas, St. Ann and Westmoreland were
hit very hard.  

The three day forecast for Montego Bay is as follows:
Tueday Oct 1 will be mostly cloudy with a Hi 88° F,
31° C and a Lo 79° F, 26° C.

Wednesday Oct 2 there will be a few thunderstorms with
a Hi 86° F, 30° C and a Lo 77° F, 25° C.  

Thursday Oct 3, showers are expected with a Hi 86° F,
30° C and a Lo 77° F, 25° C

However, I am hoping for the best and keeping my
fingers crossed as usual

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- Lili

From: "mike" <tall-p AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 04:07:34 -0500

Many of us are still in shock, because Lili just blew up in our faces! Nothing really happened for us on the Western tip of the island, until she was heading away from us, about 3:30 in the morning a couple of days ago, then 50 mph winds and RAIN. Here maybe 10-12 inches in 8 hours. The winds only lasted for maybe two hours, and then some gusting off and on for another four hours. The forcasted high seas never materialized.

Power came on for us last night, just about midnight. Jamaica Power and Electric Company does a brillient job for all Jamaica.

I've just been looking at the weather maps now, and that little island just South of Cuba is right in the middle of Lili. I've flown over that island a couple of times leaving Cuba, and there are just a few dirt roads and a couple of houses. It may be under water right now.

I can see fishermen out on the water now, tending to their fish traps.

Mike

- More Lili

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 08:18:04 -0500

Monday morning and we have had enough. It has been raining HEAVILY for 26 hours and it seems that isn't the end. The wind and rain were quite extreme all yesterday afternoon and we had power problems which is why I didn't write. The rain has diminished a little this a.m. but it hasn't stopped and is at times heavy. The sea is really up and winds are gusty. Our immediate area is hilly so flooding isn't really a problem but the radio is full of reports of evacuations along with many road closings because of flooding or landslides (earth slippages, they are called) . So we are in a mess but soon the sun will shine and we will forget all about it. I will keep you posted.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitheouse Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Tropical Storm Lili Expected to Become Hurricane Lili

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 07:37:27 -0400

Tropical Storn Lili is expected to strengthen and become Hurricane Lili in the next 48 hours. In the meantime, while Lili slowly drifts away from Jamaica, more reports are coming in from all over the island of flooding events, landslides and damaged and destroyed homes. Flooding and landslides have occurred all over the island with the worst reports coming from St. Thomas where several homes have been destroyed and families left homeless. In Kingston sections of Trafalgar Park Road in New Kingston has been dug up due to the rains while other roads across the island have been dug up significantly exposing marl. Rivers reclaimed beds as the rains continued for instance in Bull Bay, St. Thomas, with many homes destroyed and washed away. Two persons, a man and a woman in St. Thomas were found dead while one woman, a 58 year old higgler from St. Thomas is feared dead when her house was washed away in the rain. In St. Catherine the Flat Bridge is now closed as the Rio Cobre River has overflowed its banks. The Jamaica Defense Force is now using its helicopter to perform rescue missions in sections of the country. More shelters are now being opened by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and conditions are being closely monitored by the Meteorological Service as well. The country is still on a Tropical Storm Warning with conditions expected to continue as is until Tuesday, 1. The Government has ordered thatall schools remain closed for the day.

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Lili

From: "george scarlett" <george.scarlett AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 06:04:48 -0500

The rains were very heavy earlier this morning in South St. Catherine, there was very little wind. It has eased significantly now and persons seem to be making their way to work but only a few.

There is still quite a bit of water on the road and the draining is holding up quite well in Portmore, St. Catherine.

Two picture attached to show some scenes of yesterday - in Kingston (the road) and St. Andrew (the fog).

George

Hagley Park Road.JPG
Mannings Hill.JPG

- Lili

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 18:50:43 -0400

It is now very dark over here in Jamaica with thunderstorm activity experienced throughout the day. Flooding and landslide events have occurred across the island with reports coming in from St. Thomas, St. Ann, St. Mary and expected flooding in Westmoreland and other western parishes. Rains and thunderstorm activities are expected to last until Tuesday, October 1. Until then Lili still hangs over the western section of Jamaica and does not seem to be in any hurry to move.

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Now...we're wet!

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 10:25:28 -0500

O.K. - Now I believe it. The rain has been steadily picking up all morning and it is HEAVY now. The breeze is pickin gup too although the sea is still calm. This morning - so far - we have had three inches of rain. I expect more of the same for the day, looking at the satellite images. It is hard to imagine how we will manage a lot more water. If you don't hear from me again today it is because the power is gone. We have had problems all week (remnants of Isidore) so it won't be surprising to lose it again.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Enough Rain!

From: "David and Corinne" <swil AT mail.infochan.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 10:36:10 -0400

Hi again,

The weather that we are getting today is what I thought we would have had yesterday when Lili was so much closer to Kingston. The rain has been pouring hard all morning, and we're even getting some gusty winds. It looks like it could be a long day here.

Wet regards,

Corinne

- Thunderstorm Activity Now in Jamaica

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 08:42:39 -0400

Hi,

Although Lili seems to be headed towards Cuba, she is still affecting Jamaica with heavy rains and thunderstorm activity expected to affect the whole country throughout the day. In Portmore, St. Catherine at the moment we are having thunderstorm activity with heavy rains and heavy wind. This is also the expected situation with the majority of the country as forecasted by the meterological service last night. It is expected that this will last until about Tuesday of next week. So although we hoped for not too much drenching it seems that Lili has other plans. WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

- More rain

From: "David and Corinne" <swil AT mail.infochan.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 08:21:00 -0400

Good morning,

OK, that's enough now. Please make the rain go away. I think that those 50 mile per hour winds would have preferable to the amount of rain we're having. Here in the upper reaches of St. Andrew things aren't so bad, as the water just runs down the road to the lower parts of the city. I know, however, that the low-lying areas must be inundated by now. Today's newspaper describes flooded and impassable roads and families made homeless by flooding and landslides in the eastern parish of St. Thomas. The centre of Lili is currently 50 miles northeast of Montego Bay, and though the winds aren't bad, I know the rain will be wreaking havoc with the northern parishes today as well. Until later....

Corinne in Kingston

- Lili comes calling

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 08:17:27 -0500

Morning from MoBay.  Showers started about 10 last night, and this morning
they are continuous light to heavy showers.  Our little niche is relatively
calm, though I'm worried about one or two of the breadfruit trees when gusts
come through.  Lili is, apparently, about 45 miles away enroute to Cuba.  If
able, later, we'll take a look around town and report.  Right now I'm happy
to sit with my coffee and watch the storm from behind the bad-guy bars.

Very, very wet morning,

Jane in MoBay

- South West Jamaica

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 07:40:30 -0500

O.K. - We waited all day yesterday and nothing happened - not a drop of rain - nothing. The sun was even out periodically. But the rain began to fall here early this a.m. and is steady, but not heavy. No wind to speak of and the sea is calm. The people in the area seemed braced for a storm and the local stores sold out of candles and kerosene for lamps do now all we need is a storm. The Prime Minister cancelled a campaign speaking engagement in the area last night - so we have all been fooled by this one. I'll write more if there is something to write about.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse Westmoreland

Jamaica

- anti-climax?

From: Andrew Green <ochiboy AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 17:26:25 -0700 (PDT)

Here in the south central parish of St. Catherine Lili
has not shown a particularly impressive face.
There has been some rain but we were expecting more.
We got hit extra bad in Isidore. 
Just heard the television weather report however and
it appears the eastern coastal areas and highland
areas in the east of the island have been pounded.
The storm now appears to be wending its way along the
north coast of the island so there is still potential
for trouble down here in St. Catherine.
Andrew

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- Lucky in MoBay

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 19:23:16 -0500

Hi all.  Well, Lili hasn't even noticed Montego Bay yet.  Except for a
persistent overcast and the occassional light shower, there has been no
appreciable weather from TS Lili up our end of the island.  Heard from my
sister in Kingston that they are getting soaked down there, and apparently
Portland parish is being washed clean, so we are pretty lucky.  Still in the
30% chance of a close brush with Lili sometime overnight or tomorrow, and we
do expect rain.  We'll let you know if anything further develops.

Cheers!  Jane in Montego Bay

- Jamaicans Lucky Bad!!!

From: kerry-ann morris <spoogie2000 AT yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 23:41:01 +0100 (BST)

Hi Everyone,

Well, Lili came and went in a flash and now the sun is out, the rain has stopped for now and the day is cool. So much for stormy weather over the island!! We still expect some more rains later in the day. But for now we thank our lucky stars and hope for the best. In the meantime people can try to really recover from Isidore as best as they can without too much worries - we hope - from Lili. We really are a lucky country! WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

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- Lili in Jamaica?

From: "David and Corinne" <swil AT mail.infochan.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 14:58:15 -0400

Hi again all,

Just a quick update - it's now 3 pm and the weather is Kingston is lovely! High ceiling, blue patches and a very slight breeze. Hard to say what tomorrow will be like though - it looks like there's a lot more bad weather to the east of us. In the meantime, Kingston is pretty quiet as most businesses seem to have closed for the day and people are staying close to home. At least something good has come out of Lili!

Regards,

Corinne

- Lili

From: "David and Corinne" <swil AT mail.infochan.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 10:53:29 -0400

Good morning from Kingston,

Last night was a very rainy night, with the most awesome thunder and lightening storm around 2:30 this morning. It lasted only for about an hour and a half and I was glad to be able to get back to sleep afterwards. There were a few thunder claps when I'm sure the house was shaking, and in fact it set off some car and house alarms in the neighbourhood. Up until a few minutes ago it was still raining very hard, but it stops for brief periods now and then.

The centre of the storm has actually shifted again, towards the east I think (they keep moving the position), so we may not get the centre of it passing directly over us, but it's only 65 miles away right now so we will continue to get heavy rains. There has been no wind at all, which is good.

I can only imagine the landslides and flooding that must be happening elsewhere on this eastern end of Jamaica. Hopefully the west will be spared as they got hit pretty badly by Isidore last week.

OK, that's it for now. I should use the cool time wisely -painting my bathroom comes to mind!

Regards,

Corinne in Kingston

- Meandering?

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 08:01:00 -0500

Now there is a word to strike fear into the hearts of any storm watcher - meandering. That is the word all the weather authorities are using to describe Lili at this moment. I am on the southwest coast of Jamaica and we are still dry. The rain feels imminent, however and the clouds are low and dark. There is a light breeze that feels like it has something behind it but for now all is relatively peaceful. Since the storm is so slow moving most eveyone in the area seems to be aware of it and precautions are being taken. I will write later when things begin to happen.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Jamaicans Battening Down!!!

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 19:51:34 -0400

Well, it seems that this storm has Jamaicans real scared as today the supermarkets, shops and wholesales were packed like sardine tins. Everybody is in preparation for what seems like a direct hit from Tropical Storm Lili. Many people left their place of work early today in order to get themselves ready for Lili's arrival including inhabitants from Portmore. Portmore's biggest wholesale, MegaMart, was
filled to capacity with lines as long as the store itself with people buying the necessary goods. Many other people are skeptical about Lili's impact as they say that Jamaica has missed so many other storms and hurricanes since hurricane "Gilbert", why should this one be any different. Anyway, the general consensus is better safe than sorry and I am sure that many Jamaicans will be able to pull through just fine due to their level of preparedness thus far - maybe not 100% but they are prepared somewhat.

On the other hand there are those who have been terribly affected by the recent rains associated with Hurricane Isidore and are still trying to recover. If we should be impacted by Lili then these various individuals will definitely be in a sad position with the possibility of being evacuated from their homes and being flooded out due to overly saturated lands and overflowing rivers. In the meantime Jamaicans are definitely nervous about Lili, especially since she has been a bit erratic in her movements of late. But we should expect some rains and lots of wind, according to the forecasters, by later tonight. I will have more later. WALK GOOD!!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Lili

From: Andrew Green <ochiboy AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 16:15:30 -0700 (PDT)

Jamaicans are nervous about Lili which has finally
managed to break through our preoccupation with the
upcoming elections.
Light rain and overcast conditions today in the
capital, Kingston. 
It is a dry beautiful slightly overcast evening in
downtown Kingston now. 
This morning I went to a large shopping centre in
Spanish Town, the old capital, to get a cheap umbrella
as I fogot to carry my regular one. Nearly every
parking place was occupied. People are stocking up in
preparation as it is unclear whether we will be able
to go shopping tomorrow.
The unpleasantness caused by Isidore is still fresh in
our minds.
Andrew Green 

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- Update

From: "Clarence" <cfchinfatt AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 17:11:23 -0400

Report for Friday, 27th of September

The Corporate Area saw light showers and overcast conditions in the Cross Roads and Constant Spring area throughout the day.

- Update

From: Rodman Monique <monique_rodman AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 13:52:02 -0700 (PDT)

4:40 p.m. Jamaican time and it is still sunny in
Montego Bay. The grey clouds are strolling in though. 
I am still hoping that nothing much will happen and
that we will only experience a few showers. 

However, the MET office predicts that we are in for
heavy, prolonged rains and potentially strong winds
this weekend.  The center of Lili is expected to hit
Jamaica tonight, moving around 10 km/h.  However, it
is expected to depart Jamaican shores on Sunday.

My fingers are still crossed!!

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- Lili

From: Sybil Shippy <shiprayjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 13:40:11 -0700 (PDT)

Everyone is now in full gear making preparations for Lili. The roads in Kingston is bumper to bumper traffic and the supermarkets are are filled with people shopping for storm supplies.

It is expected by 2am tomorrow morning so this is the final preparation time. I am about to do my preparation, so bye and if all goes well, will write again soon.

Sybil - Kingston

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- here comes Lili!

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 15:23:55 -0500

Well, it looks as if Montegonians have finally realized that a storm is
coming.  The traffic is awful!  Friday afternoon traffic in MoBay is always
bad, but today is the worst I have ever seen, backed up through the
hip-strip and the Queens drive into downtown, right to Leader Avenue, and
moving slower than my grandmother can walk.  A bit slow to believe the
forecasts, most people are now thinking it a good plan to lay in a bit of
extra drinking water for the weekend.  Sky is still blue with just the
normal afternoon thunderheads and breeze, but one look at that satelite
image and you just know we're in for a bit of a blow...

We'll keep you posted if we have power tomorrow.  Best luck to all, and
thank goodness Lili didn't get any stronger before she decided to visit
Jamaica.  Anyone travelling here from overseas this weekend might want to
pack a raincoat, extra mosquito repellant and a super-sized portion of
patience and good humour.

Cheers,
Jane in MoBay

- Friday Morning Calm

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 07:31:46 -0500

This storm is really driving me nuts - one minute it is - next minute it isn't.....not that there is much we can do about it. We are still battened down from Lil - thank goodness. This mornings warnings seem to be more serious. All the local fishers (as they call them here) have been warned to stay in port and the news is full of warnings so it seems real. As I have said before, our ground is saturated so I am wondering where it will all go. But in the meanwhile - it is a fabulous morning - clear, calm and sunny. I am going out to enjoy it. More later today.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse Westmoreland

Jamaica

- From Westmoreland Jamaica

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 07:08:40 -0500

Good Morning - I have spent a couple of hours enjoying our beautiful clear sunny morning trying to picture Lili and it is hard to imagine right now. The projections seem to be bringing it a little closer to us than once thought so it is disconcerting. The radio is reporting the path near us but no one seems overly concerned. I live in a big fisherman's district and they have all been warned but those warnings are never taken too seriously. Unfortunately we lose a few fishermen every year who think they are stronger than Mother Nature.

My area of Jamaica has saturated ground and I believe that is the reason we had so much damage a week ago in the wake of Isidore. The ground is too wet to hold the tree roots properly. So that is our worry since it has rained a little bit every day in the last two weeks.

So we will watch and wait but it looks like at the very least we will have a rainy and stormy weekend. Let's hope it is mild.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Another One??!!

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 06:14:55 -0400

Hi. Kerry-Ann here from Portmore, St. Catherine. Right now, as usual, I wouldn't say that Jamaicans are overly anxious about Lili. In fact on my way from the University of the West Indies, going through Papine Market, alot of people were asking for the rains to hurry up and come. It is very hot over here now!!! So alot of people are actually looking forward to some rain and breeze but nothing more. If our luck holds up then we might just have rain (not too heavy I hope :>) and hopefully nothing more.

As far as the weather forecast have it, if Lili continues on her west northwesterly track then we should expect to receive some rains and thunderstorms most especially the eastern, northern, southern and central parishes. I hope that not too much rain will fall as Isidore really did the western parishes something awful in her wake with many places, for example, Westmoreland, flooded out with several families evacuated to shelters. In fact, the government and the national disaster management headquarters, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), have already done a survey of the worst affected areas and are offering assistance to persons directly affected by Isidore. Additionally, roads and bridges are now being cleared and fixed while rivers, for example the Rio Cobre in my parish, is now slowly going down.

It is expected that rains associated with Lili will begin to affect Jamaica starting Thursday.All marine interests have been put on alert at this time. However, the general population welcomes a little wetting of the earth and some cool breeze to cool the place down. Will have more as the week progresses. WALK GOOD!!

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Another One??!!

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT mail.cybervale.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 04:26:04 -0400

Kerry-Ann Morris

mmallen AT cybervale.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Update

From: Sybil Shippy <shiprayjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 12:54:51 -0700 (PDT)

At the moment Lilli is not a threat to us here in Jamaica. We have had nice sunshine since morning, but right now it is overcast.

The Met office is watching the situation and advice is out for fishermen to be alert.

Lets hope this one passes us by as well.

Sybil - Kingston.

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- Re: [HURR] - Lili

From: "mike" <tall-p AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 21:00:30 -0500

Even though hurricane Isidore passed close to Jamaica, it was really a glancing blow. Lots of rain but no big seas or high winds. Once again, we were pretty lucky.

Mike

- Rainy Jamaica

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 07:32:57 -0500

Since we are still suffering from power outages from the last near miss (Isidore) I wanted to write before we see the effects of Lili (TS 13). I've looked at the probabilites this a.m. and am a little worried. Our area of Jamaica (the southwest) has had too much rain from March and this last week has been grim. By my measure we have had twelve inches of rain in the last week and the thought of another storm is mind boggling. We haven't seen the sun in a week, as the outflow from Isidore is wide-spread and we are having daily rain. We lost a lot of trees, as the ground is saturated and it just can't hold them. Let's hope Lili dies a quick death.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- heavy weather

From: Andrew Green <ochiboy AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 20:35:03 -0700 (PDT)

I live in Eltham View, about 20 miles west of
Kingston.
Most of us expected the rains would have been gone by
now, but the showers persist.
In my own home a concrete fence has collapsed,
undermined by water, and the roads have been badly
affected.
Activity has slowed but not stopped.
There has been little wind but a very large amout of
rain, such that at one point, three of the four exits
in our community were impassable.
I hope it will clear up tomorrow. 
Andrew Green
Lot 494 Oleander Place
Eltham View
Spanish Town
St catherine
Jamaica

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- Fianlly - From Jamaica's South Coast

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 00:35:36 -0400

Wow - A little later here but we have been without power since Wed. a.m. We suffered a bit on Wed. about noon - with high winds and heavy rain. We had 6 inches of rain in the hours from Tues. at 2:20 a.m. to Wed. evening. There were many trees down and people in Savann-La-Mar had to resort to shelters because of high water. The rain continues - sometimes heavy with the bands spinning off from Isidore. Since Wed. evening we have had over 4 inches. The power is coning on for about an hour a day so I have to make this short.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Update

From: "monique rodman" <monique_rodman AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 09:04:30 -0500

It is difficult to say whether everyone was prepared for Tropical Storm 
Isadore. In Montego Bay, I did not see alot of people buyings supplies in 
the stores.  Business took place as usual for most companies downtown; 
however a few schools and businesses closed early due to the warnings.  
Heavy to light rain fall took place throughout the day and night.  Today, 
the sky in Montego Bay is still overcast with a slight drizzle.  No 
floodings have been reported although a few trees lost their branches due to 
the winds from Isadore.

Reports from a local news channel states that the country's Office of 
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management commented that they received 
reports of flooding in sections of Jamaica including Old Harbour Bay.  
Personnel from the St. Catherine Fire stations in Portmore and Spanish Town 
have been carrying out rescue operations.  Other parishes such as Clarendon 
experienced floodings and landslides. Flooding also occured in Hanover, 
sections of Kingston and St. Catherine.  One community, (the community of 
Tawes Pen in the corporate area) was among the areas worst affected. There 
are also reports of some damage and road blocks in sections of Western 
Jamaica due to the inclement weather conditions. Multiple homes and roadways 
in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth experienced flooding as heavy rains pelted the 
area. This also was the case in St. Thomas, which was experiencing rain 
since Monday.  Large bolders and debris made the roads impassable in this 
area. The picture was a little different in Portland as despite two days of 
rain, there were no reports of flooding or landslides.

Jamaicans are being urged to store water in case the water treatment 
facilities become damaged.  Water supply has also been disrupted due to 
power cuts. However, efforts are being made to restore power supply in areas 
where outages occured.

We do expect that the weather will get better as we approach the weekend.  
By Sunday, the sun should show its face.  That's all for now.


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- Update

From: Sybil Shippy <shiprayjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 06:09:51 -0700 (PDT)

This morning I woke up to a beautiful day. The rains stopped during the night, and as you might know by now the storm have passed. Looking outside, sunshine is bursting through the clouds and for that we are thankful.

All you visitors who are planning to vacation here please come on over. We will be happy to have you. Those of you who have family members in Jamiaca, I am sure they are all safe. May be as little wet, but what do you expect after so much rain recently.

Sybil, Kingston

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- Update on Isidore

From: "george scarlett" <george.scarlett AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:55:17 -0500

Isidore has been bring rains to Jamaica since Tuesday September 17, while still a depression. A number of areas especially in the southern parishes have had flooding. Even as I write this report from south east St. Catherine the rain is still falling - though not heavily. Attached are pictures of some of the flooding in St. Catherine.

George

Rio cobra at the bridge.JPG
bog walk flooding.JPG

- Isidore over MoBay

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 12:15:38 -0500

Hi, all!  We just took a tour around MoBay, because it was so calm up at our
house.  Well, not calm down below in town.  Plenty of branches down in the
streets, and a lot of standing water.  However, for some reason we still
have power!  The sea is strangely calm, I suppose because the wind hasn't
been blowing long enough to have built up the waves.  But the wind has
shifted from our dominant easterly to west-southwesterly, blowing 20-25 and
gusting to 30kts.  Steady light-moderate rain has been falling, ceiling
about 3,000 feet, obscured in rain and the visibility 4 miles or greater.
People seem to be unconcerned, though traffic was light in town.

Also just spoke with our sister in Kingston, who reported a car floating
down the street; she says they have  been having heavy rain all night, and
very strong gusty winds that are dying down somewhat now, though the rain
continues heavy.

Glad it's moving away, though it looks like we're in for a pretty wet day.

Cheers from Jane & Dennis in MoBay, and good luck up the line.

- Tropical depression

From: Sybil Shippy <shiprayjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 09:28:18 -0700 (PDT)

The rain has been falling steadily since this morning and have increased in magnitude with very strong winds.. Outside looks very dark at the moment which I hardly expect to change durin the course of the day. The third warning was issued at 10am from the Met office and this depression will continue to affect us in this way for at least the next 24 hours.

Some schools are out for today, not because of any great threat but some persons are unable to to move around because of the heavy rains, and it will be a lot safer for the children, especially the little ones.

Will write again if there is any great change.

Sybil - Kingston, Jamaica

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- Jamaica

From: "barbara henriques" <henrique AT infochan.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 12:23:42 -0400

At 11:20 local time Jamaica we have very heavy rains and flooding is reported.

Wind: just a few little gusts so far.

Looks as we were lucky this time round, sorry for the guys up north.

Barbara

- Tropical depression

From: Sybil Shippy <shiprayjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 05:28:19 -0700 (PDT)

I am in Kingston Jamaica which have seen steady rainfall since last night into this morning. I spoke to my family in Montego Bay a short while ago, and although there was much rain clouds yesterday evening, no rain fell in that part of the island last night, rainfall began this morning. Also in Papine, on the University campus where I am presently, it is getting a little windy.

As far as I know there is little or no preparations being done by individuals as I doubt they see it as any great threat. Warnings have been given and is being given by the Met office to people living in low line areas who are prone to flooding. Next warning will be at 10am this morning. Otherwise, it is extremely nice and cool for a change.

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- It is Definitely Here!!!

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT cybervale.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 07:03:11 -0400

I woke up this morning with the wind howling outside and the rain pelting my roof. The way the wind has been blowing so heavy the rain is more horizontal than vertical! Heavy rains are expected to continue today with the western and southern parishes of the island expected to experience the worst of it, especially St. Catherine - where I live! Many schools have announced that they will be closed today - from the parishes of St. Catherine, Kingston and Manchester so far. I know the kids will love this!! The country is thus on a flash flood warning and everything is just really dark outside at nearly 7 a.m. Many people are definitely opting out of traveling today with the roads practically empty this time of day - an usual thing for where I live! Overall everything is just really quiet now. Will have a report later today.

Kerry-Ann Morris

Portmore, St. Catherine

Jamaica

- Wet & Wild

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 06:38:09 -0400

O.K. - it did really come. The rain hit the southcoast about 2:30 a.m. and has been intensifying ever since. The wind has picked up considerably and the sea is quite high. Everyone is just hunkered down at home, trying to stay dry. The flash flood warnings are in effect but we aren't expecting things to get too bad. Travel isn't recommended. I'll write again later today.

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland

Jamaica

- Report from Jamaica

From: "Kerry-Ann Morris" <mmallen AT cybervale.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 22:41:14 -0400

Hi Everybody,

This is Kerry-Ann from Jamaica. Well so far we have had lots of rain with more expected throughout the rest of the week. There is a flash flood watch on for lowlying areas across the island. However, although we should expect some heavy rainfall and storm like conditions for some areas across the island as a result of this tropical depression I wouldn't say that Jamaicans are overly anxious. It is just a watch and see situation. So in the meantime we are experiencing rains right across the island with conditions expected to remain the same for the rest of the week. I will have another update as the week progresses.

Kerry-Ann

- Still Quiet

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 21:45:29 -0400

It is still very quiet in the sw of Jamaica. The satellite picture looks terrible but it hasn't reached us yet. No wind, no rain - I am going to bed. I understand it is raining heavily in Kingston.Tomorrow.

Ann Lyons

Cullloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland Jamaica

- Report From Jamaica

From: "Culloden Cafe" <lyons AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 17:10:36 -0400

I have spent the day on-line watching this storm and not much seems to be happeneing. It has been cloudy all day, on the south coast, with a little occasional rain. I can see deep dark clouds to the south and west but so far - so good. The sea is calm and there is no wind to speak of. There is very little talk of a storm anywhere in the local media - as is usually the case. I am expecting to see more action tonight and will report any news. Later

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Westmoreland Jamaica

- Montego Bay report

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:54:01 -0500

Hi from MoBay.  It's very calm and still here at present, with a dark heavy
overcast.  Steady light rain has been falling most of the day.  Most people
don't seem to concerned about the forecast of possible storm force winds
overnight tonight, though many have put in extra water as the local water
utility up here is very unreliable when there is flooding.  I consider us
lucky that the storm is forming so close to Jamaica that, by the time it's a
nuisance it will be far away!  Now if I was in the Caymans or Cuba, I would
definately be digging out the plywood...  We'll let you know if anything
interesting happens here.

Jane

- Potential

From: "Dennis & Jane" <bacchus56 AT direct.ca>
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 15:18:50 -0500

A very peculiar afternoon in MoBay, with a distinct arc of clouds ahead of
the tropical wave that was/will be TD Ten.  The wind has completely died
away, normally by this time of afternoon the anabatic (is that the right
word?) winds are just howling around the house.  We've had plenty rain this
season, unlike some islands; it's been pretty wet most afternoons but for
the last 2 days not a drop.  Feels like the calm before the storm, though I
am keeping my fingers crossed that TD Ten remains a wave and waves goodbye
without doing any harm.

Jane in MoBay

- It's Raining!!!!!

From: "monique rodman" <monique_rodman AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2002 15:12:45 -0500

It has been a very rainy month of May and June started off raining too.  
Alot of areas have experienced flooding; however the hardest hit is 
Clarendon.  St. Thomas and St. Catherine are also experiencing floodings. An 
undetermined amount of crops and livestocks have been lost as a result of 
the rain.  Communities were cut off from others due to road blockage caused 
by debris, rivers overflowing and landslides. However, in Montego Bay, where 
I am located, the weather is not that bad.  In most cases we are 
experiencing sunshine when other parishes such as Kingston is experiencing 
rain.  The sun was out this morning, however right now it is a little 
overcast. The weather is expected to improve by the end of the week.


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- Heavy rain in Jamaica

From: "george scarlett" <george.scarlett AT cwjamaica.com>
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:47:22 -0500

Gert,

The rains in Jamaica has caused more devastation than our last hurricane - Gilbert - in 1988. So far there have been nine recorded deaths and this is expected to rise. The rain have been falling for about a week and the ground is so saturated that there have been major flooding, landslides, and mudslides. So far today it seems the heaviest for the week or so that it has been falling. See photo of some dwellings affected by mudslide, the zinc seen here is the roof of houses. Fortunately no one was hurt in this incident.

George Scarlett

Jamaica