Black River hit by "freak storm"

Black River, capital of the south western Jamaica parish of St. Elizabeth, was hit by what was described as a freak storm on Saturday afternoon.

According to our St. Elizabeth correspondent, the storm spun from the sea to land and resembled a tornado. It lasted only a few minutes, but four homes were damaged, with one losing its roof.

There were also reports of fallen tree and electrical wires, and the seaside town was plunged into darkness as the storm triggered a power outage, with reports that a transformer had also exploded.

Traumatised

Inspector Joseph Caine of the Black River police station, told TVJ News that some residents "appear to have been traumatised" by the weather phenomenon. He confirmed, however, that there had been no serious injury or loss of life.

The various response agencies had been called in and were assisting in the clean-up operation, he reported.

This is the second time in recent years that Black River has experienced this weather phenomenon.