In Greater Portmore, St Catherine, a modest hut-like structure beneath a tree near the Monza Housing Scheme has become the unlikely home of 40-year-old Kirk Walker. Since 2022, Walker has endured harsh living conditions after being compelled to leave the Monza scheme, where he previously resided. Despite the imminent threat of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to bring torrential rains and fierce winds to Jamaica, Walker remains steadfast in his decision to stay put. On Saturday, he expressed no urgency to seek refuge in a shelter, instead choosing to face the storm head-on. Having survived Hurricane Beryl in the same location last year, Walker is confident in his ability to withstand Melissa, which is forecasted to intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall early next week. While he hopes for assistance to secure a more permanent and suitable residence in the future, his immediate focus is on weathering the impending storm.
