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Hurricane Gilbert In Jamaica 1988 - Memories & Facts

by Wellesley
(Jamaica)

I was listening to our RJR this morning, on of the local radio stations in Jamaica and was reminded of the calamity brought on the island by the infamous Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, September 12.

I was a boy then, just turned 11 - now you know my age :-)

But I remember the scare that night.

A number of us huddled in my grandma's (Mammy) house. Of course, there wasn't much sleep - we couldn't.

By the way, that was in the hills of Westmoreland where I grew up.

We could hear the powerful winds breaking branches, trees uprooting, and zinc sheets flying! Of course there were all sort of other terrifying sounds I can't explain.

It was also pear (avocado) season, so we could hear them falling like bullets throughout the night!

We survived though, to God be the Glory.

There were some leaks from the zinc roofing but nothing major.

Many of our community neighbours were not so lucky though, as some of their houses lost entire roofs - totally!

Other families had to rush to neighbors and hurricane shelters for refuge!

It was quite an experience I tell you! In the morning, you could smell the damage :-(

For the first time, we could see distances we never saw before- everywhere was just bare.

I remember we picked up over two drums/ barrels of pears that fell from the trees! Most of them were pretty fit too!

(We had a number of pear trees around the yard)

My dad loved pears; I remember him coming down (from Montego Bay) to check on the family a couple of days later; I watched him devour a number of the ripe - right there out of the drums :-)

Hurricane Gilbert has certainly left a lasting memory for those of use who were fortunate (or unfortunate) to experience it.



By the way, Wen fish come outta sea an tell yuh seh alligator have feva, believe him!; here are some important hurricane preparation tips!

VIDEO: Watch Jamaican Artiste Lloyd Lovindeer's Commentary Of Hurricane Gilbert In Jamaica

Were you around then? I'd love for you to share your memories of Hurricane Gilbert here.

Note: To learn more about hurricanes in Jamaica and the general climate of Jamaica, click here

See also: Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas

References: Wikipedia.org, Accuweather.com, Jamaica-Gleaner.com

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