Jul.18.2010

A WATERSPOUT slammed into the Jose Figueroa Olympic Stadium in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where thousands of people were expected to gather for the inauguration of the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) today.

And at least five people are said to be injured from the passage of the freak storm which is believed to have demolished part of  the stadium. The incident forced the  cancellation of  the highly anticipated opening ceremony.

The storm ripped down scaffolding workers were using to add final touches to the Jose Figueroa Olympic Stadium, toppling the metal onto cars below.

Chef de Mission of the Trinidad and Tobago contingent Mushtaque Mohammed said a spectacular “light show” was expected for the opening before the storm blew down the lighting props that were erected on stage. 

Felipe Perez, president of the games organising committee, said he was taken aback by the storm’s strength. “The wind was like something out of a movie,” he said.