Storm Oscar

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

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As predicted storm Oscar has made itself known across the island today and will continue to do so tomorrow.

Although rainfall, by mid-afternoon, had been relatively weak, Chão do Areeiro has already recorded a cumulative of 17.8 (mm) litres per square metre since 00:00 on Monday, having still recorded 8.0 mm in just one hour. Levels registered 1.1 litres per square metre at the Lido weather station and 0.8 mm at the Observatory.

However, the intensity is expected to increase from 18:00.

Until 13:00, in addition to Chão do Areeiro, the highest rainfall accumulations were recorded in Pico do Areeiro (11.4 mm), Pico Alto (9.5 mm), Bica da Cana (8.7 mm) and Monte (5.1 mm). At the Santa Catarina Airport station, no rain was recorded until noon. In Funchal, specifically at the Observatory, accumulated rainfall had only reached 0.4 mm.

The volume of rain recorded in one hour was 8.00 mm in Chão do Areeiro, 4.8 mm in Pico do Areeiro, and 4.3 mm in Bica da Cana. In addition, it was also verified the presence of rain in Santo da Serra (3.9 mm), and Quinta Grande (3.7 mm).

The weather stations of São Vicente, Porto Moniz, and Caniçal did not record any rain until 13:00.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com