HANOVER, Jamaica — Hanoverians who were spared the wrath of Hurricane Beryl three weeks ago were confronted with a new disaster as a mini tornado wreaked havoc on shops and other structures within the town of Lucea on Thursday.

The tornado, said to have originated from the vicinity of the renowned Lucea Harbour, made its way onto land within the Lucea Fishermen Village along Church Street, shortly after 2:00 pm.

Some people, upon witnessing the unfolding disaster sought refuge within nearby buildings. Although parked vehicles in the vicinity remained relatively untouched, the roofs of several shops were torn off, and at least one board building was displaced from its original position.

Observer Online caught up with a man who gave his name as Leslie during a visit on Friday morning. He remarked that the storm that struck on Thursday exhibited a higher level of destructiveness when juxtaposed with the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

“When it blows I run and jump across a fence. I don’t know how. I don’t know how I reached cross way the fence,” stated Lesley, who along with others was assisting with the clearing up of the area.

The board building belonging to two women was one of the buildings that was ripped from its foundation, leaving behind only the tile flooring. The owner had left a few minutes before the storm to purchase something in the town. However, she returned to an empty spot.

“Hey, not even [Hurricane] Beryl nuh wicked so. They were talking about big breeze what day you know [but] ah this you call big breeze because Beryl never deal with the place so you know. It was just the three dropped down round deh so what day pon di house (another building in the area,” stated Lesley, who noted that, “All right now mi nervous. The little breeze blowing right now mek mi fraid.”

A restaurant owner, Gary Barrett said he was on the outside having lunch when a strong wind developed with a lot of dust. He ran inside the building for refuge but the strong wind did not spare the roof of one side of the building which came off in whole.

Barrett lost electricity supply and had other damage. On Friday, he managed to temporarily put in place the roof on a section of the building.

“It is kind of hard on me but I’m trying,” stated Barrett.

As Barrett tried to put the pieces back together he is thankful that things were not worse.

“I feel very concerned about it because I think it will be coming back, but one good thing about it, I am happy that it did not take any life, you know. So, mi give God thanks for that because it could be worse. Someone could have died,” reflected Barrett.

— Anthony Lewis