In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, has been left in a state of utter devastation, with community leaders likening the destruction to a war zone. Bishop Oneil Russell, president of the Cooke Street Benevolence Society, expressed his profound grief and concern over the extensive damage inflicted by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28. The storm ravaged communities including Cooke Street, Coke Street, Lower Darling Street, and Queen Street in Savanna-la-Mar, the parish capital.
Russell, who also serves as a justice of the peace and a minister of religion, described the scene as ‘devastating,’ with homes reduced to rubble, zinc roofs torn apart, and essential infrastructure obliterated. Despite the absence of reported fatalities, the scale of destruction has left residents grappling with the loss of homes, belongings, and basic necessities such as water, electricity, and communication.
As a trained first responder, Russell remained in the community during the storm, witnessing firsthand the ferocity of Melissa. He recounted the harrowing experience of seeing houses disintegrate and his own church, The Ark of the Covenant Apostolic Church, flattened. ‘It is going to take us years to build back,’ Russell lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for increased aid and support from government agencies and relief organizations.
Russell has been actively assisting his community by sharing his home Internet service, providing clothing, and offering financial support for food and medical needs. However, he stressed that psychological assistance is also crucial for residents traumatized by the disaster. ‘We need people like the medics in the community,’ he urged, highlighting the lack of official assessments and aid in some areas.
Tyress Small, a resident of Darling Street, shared his own harrowing tale of survival. He was forced to flee his home when the roof was torn off, braving the storm to seek shelter with a family member. Small, like many others in his community, is now homeless and reliant on external assistance to rebuild his life.
As relief efforts continue, with the United States delivering food and water to the Llandilo Community Centre, the road to recovery for Westmoreland remains long and arduous. The resilience of its residents, however, shines through as they band together to support one another in the face of unimaginable loss.