作者： admin

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, two sisters have been undertaking a daily journey through waist-deep floodwaters to deliver food and comfort to their elderly grandmother and her sister. The sisters, aged 16 and 23, who chose to remain anonymous, described their arduous trek as a duty to their relatives, who are currently sheltered at Lacovia Primary School. The family resides in the Slipe community, which remained inaccessible due to floodwaters, fallen trees, and debris as of last Friday. Despite the challenges, the sisters have been cooking meals at their undamaged home and carrying the food through the hazardous conditions to the shelter. The elder sister expressed exhaustion and pain from the journey but emphasized the necessity of their efforts. Meanwhile, 82-year-old Mehela Drummond has been caring for her 86-year-old sister Olive Hall, who requires assistance with daily tasks. Drummond recounted the terror of the hurricane and how she held her sister close during the storm. The family is still awaiting assistance from authorities, as no help has arrived since the hurricane struck.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation across Jamaica, Reverend Al Miller, a prominent clergyman, has urged citizens to view the disaster not as divine punishment but as an opportunity for unity and renewal. Speaking during a service at Fellowship Tabernacle, Miller emphasized that God does not cause destruction but is present even in chaos. He encouraged Jamaicans to rise above despair and support those affected by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck last Tuesday, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Miller drew a parallel between human sin and natural disasters, suggesting that humanity’s moral corruption can provoke nature’s reaction. However, he clarified that such reactions are not meant to destroy but to prompt correction and change. He urged congregants to focus on the light within the darkness, reminding them that God can transform adversity into hope.

The two-hour service included moments of worship and prayer, with the congregation expressing gratitude for their survival. Church members also prepared care packages for affected areas, particularly the western parishes of St James and St Elizabeth, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact. Miller highlighted the heartbreaking stories of those who lost everything and called for collective action to rebuild the nation.

Miller emphasized the role of the Church in mobilizing support, noting that the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches is coordinating efforts to deliver aid to 5,000 individuals daily. He urged Jamaicans to unite, stating that the disaster presents a unique opportunity to address long-standing issues and foster national solidarity. ‘This is our time to care for each other and rebuild our nation,’ he declared.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the coastal town of Whitehouse in Westmoreland, Jamaica, has been reduced to a scene of devastation and despair. The Category 5 storm, which struck last Tuesday, has left the once-thriving fishing and tourism community in ruins. Homes have been obliterated, power lines are tangled across streets, and families are now huddled under makeshift shelters. With no access to electricity, running water, or immediate relief, residents are grappling with the harsh realities of survival.

Two days after Hurricane Melissa swept through Cave Valley, St Ann, many residents remain unable to return to their homes due to persistent flooding. The once-bustling town is now submerged under muddy waters, with some areas experiencing ankle-deep flooding while others see entire buildings swallowed by the deluge. Rooftops peeking out of the water serve as grim reminders of the homes that once stood there. Although water levels began to recede last Thursday, the damage left behind is extensive and recovery will be a long, arduous process. For Adolphus McNaughten, an 81-year-old resident, this marks the fourth time his home has been flooded. He stood helplessly outside his yellow and red house, recounting how he had to abandon it when the waters rushed in. McNaughten, who has nowhere else to go, expressed a mix of despair and determination as he prepared to rebuild once again. Meanwhile, Christopher Clarke, a local businessman, watched the disaster unfold from the safety of his two-story building. He described how the floodwaters rose relentlessly, engulfing homes, businesses, and vehicles. Clarke, who had prepared for the hurricane, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that Cave Valley has always been flood-prone but never to this extent. As the community grapples with the aftermath, residents face months of recovery, compounded by the loss of electricity and water services. The relentless rain that followed the hurricane served as a cruel reminder that the ordeal is far from over.

Motorists passing through St Elizabeth, Jamaica, are often taken aback when they first meet Roy Hutchinson, a tire repair specialist. What makes Hutchinson remarkable is that he is a double amputee confined to a wheelchair. Despite losing both legs due to poor circulation, the 60-year-old remains undeterred by his physical limitations. Last Friday, Hutchinson swiftly assisted the Jamaica Observer team when their vehicle suffered a flat tire while en route to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Hutchinson, a resident of Rocky Hill, St Elizabeth, has been managing the tire shop since November last year, taking over from his brother who migrated to the United States. ‘I plug a tire, take off a tire the same way. I change a tire on the machine inside the shop in the same way. I only need someone to push me around,’ Hutchinson explained, noting that he has a daily assistant. Previously a school bus driver for Hampton and Munroe students, Hutchinson lost his legs gradually—one five years ago and the other last year. Remarkably, he felt no pain during the amputations. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa, Hutchinson’s business has thrived as locals seek his services. ‘Yesterday [Thursday], I patched about four tires with nails. So basically, I knew that people would come today to plug tires, so I came out,’ he said. Hutchinson has appealed for support to acquire a battery drill and a tire-changing machine to enhance his efficiency. His partner, Michelle Golding, assists him daily, pushing him to and from the shop. Like many in the parish, Hutchinson is rebuilding after the hurricane damaged homes and electricity poles, leaving many without power. ‘I have the front there to fix back. I have to go buy some zinc nails and zinc to put it back on,’ he said, pointing to his shop. Hutchinson also faces the loss of perishable goods due to the power outage, adding to his financial strain. ‘I don’t really have any savings. I have some chicken in the fridge right now which I am going to lose. It’s a great loss for me again,’ he lamented.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that devastated Belmont, Westmoreland, three helicopters brought much-needed relief supplies to the community on Sunday. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) provided two of the helicopters, while the third was dispatched by World Central Kitchen, delivering essential food items. The helicopters landed at Belmont Academy, a central location between Whitehouse and Bluefields, offering a beacon of hope to residents left homeless by the disaster.

Keisha Rowe, a local resident and employee at Belmont Academy, expressed her gratitude for the timely assistance. ‘We are happy for the help, and there is more to come. Many people here don’t have anywhere to live. A lot of people are homeless, so we are glad for the help, and I am happy that it came fast enough,’ she said.

Wayne Smith, a visually impaired man, shared his harrowing experience, noting that his house had lost its roof, forcing him and his wife to seek shelter elsewhere. ‘It’s real critical, it’s not normal…I am not speaking for myself alone, because I can’t move about like that, but I still have to try to bounce around,’ he explained. Smith, like many others, had been listening for the sound of helicopters, hoping for the arrival of supplies. ‘Today we heard the helicopter, and I said, ‘I am going up there,’ and when I went, I got through right away—flour, rice, sugar, everything in there,’ he recounted.

Carly Wilson, a visitor from Missouri, USA, whose husband is from Belmont, described the emotional toll of witnessing the community’s struggles. ‘This is a very emotional experience, seeing everybody struggle. The people desperately need help,’ she said. Wilson has been actively coordinating with donor organizations to bring additional aid to the area. She highlighted the immediate need for drinking water, as burst pipes have contaminated the local water supply. ‘Unfortunately, there is no drinking water in these combo packs. We need drinking water in this community as soon as possible,’ she emphasized.

The relief efforts have brought smiles to many, including five-year-old Travis Miller and Belmont resident Nickashai Samuels, who, along with her partner Rodney Walker and their one-year-old son Duke, received care packages from the JDF helicopters. The community remains hopeful as more organizations commit to joining the relief distribution efforts.