标签： Jamaica

ST JAMES, Jamaica – Delroy Dove, a tour guide from Johns Hall in St James, narrowly escaped death during the devastating Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that claimed two of his homes. Despite losing everything, Dove expresses gratitude for surviving the harrowing ordeal. One of the homes, a wooden three-bedroom structure, collapsed with Dove inside, leaving him with injuries to his head, back, and hand. Recounting the traumatic event, Dove described how the 185 mph winds shifted the house from its foundation, causing it to tumble downhill with him trapped inside. ‘I saw complete darkness and then light,’ he said, visibly shaken. Another caretaker, Devral, witnessed the house being lifted into the air but was unaware Dove was inside. The wooden house, which served as Dove’s temporary residence at Johns Hall Adventure Tours, was completely destroyed, along with all his belongings. Dove, now homeless after his permanent residence in Spring Mount was also destroyed, is living in an unfinished section of the property with minimal shelter. He is appealing for assistance to rebuild his life and secure a new home.

In a decisive move to restore normalcy in hurricane-ravaged communities, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a series of measures aimed at reopening small shops and markets. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Holness emphasized the government’s commitment to transitioning from relief to recovery, ensuring that daily life and business operations resume swiftly.

PORTLAND, Jamaica — While the northeastern parish of Portland escaped the most severe impacts of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica over a week ago, local businesses are still grappling with the aftermath. Ricardo ‘Ric Boss’ Oharo, a chef at a local cookshop, shared his struggles with Observer Online during a visit by the news team on Friday. Oharo noted that business has slowed significantly since the hurricane, as many residents have been unable to work due to storm-related disruptions affecting their employers. This has led to reduced spending in the community. Additionally, Oharo highlighted the rising operational costs, particularly the increased price of fuel needed to power the shop’s generator. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that his establishment remains affordable for customers. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28 as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, caused widespread devastation across Jamaica, resulting in over 30 fatalities and leaving nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without power. Many areas in Portland remain in darkness. Oharo expressed gratitude that Portland was spared major damage this time, recalling the severe impact of Hurricane Beryl in July last year. ‘We give God thanks still,’ he said. ‘Everything is intact, giving thanks!’

In a remarkable display of community spirit, two Kingston-based entrepreneurs ventured into the flood-ravaged Reading District in St. Elizabeth last week to deliver essential supplies to residents stranded by Hurricane Melissa. Andrew Brown, Managing Director of Screenshot Interactive, and Chris Boxe, Managing Partner of Chilitos Jamexican, left their office routines behind to trek through impassable roads and reach the isolated community. The duo also visited the Lacovia shelter, determined to provide relief where floodwaters had severed access. The initiative was sparked by news that Reading District, the hometown of DJ Anash, had been entirely cut off, leaving residents without food or assistance. Unable to use vehicles, Brown and Boxe hiked nearly two miles each way, making multiple trips on foot to ensure supplies reached those in need. Reflecting on the experience, Brown noted, ‘It’s one thing to hear that a community is cut off, but being there and walking through it is something else. Seeing how much people are enduring, and still staying positive, really puts things in perspective.’ Boxe described the journey as both challenging and humbling, emphasizing that even small efforts can make a significant impact. Meanwhile, DJ Anash has launched a community relief drive to support ongoing recovery efforts in Reading and surrounding areas. She is appealing for donations of non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, feminine products, medical supplies, and building materials. Collection points have been established at several locations in Kingston. ‘Every mickle mek a muckle,’ she shared, highlighting the importance of collective contributions. While recovery has begun in Black River, smaller communities like Reading remain flooded and inaccessible by road. Relief teams are working tirelessly to clear debris and reopen vital routes as recovery efforts intensify across the parish.

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, has introduced an innovative ‘adopt-a-family’ initiative to provide direct support to the most affected residents. The program aims to connect donors with families in need, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance.

The United States is bracing for significant travel disruptions as federal authorities mandate widespread flight cancellations amid an ongoing government shutdown. Starting Friday, airlines will implement a 10% reduction in flights across 40 high-traffic areas, following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive citing safety concerns. The shutdown has left tens of thousands of air traffic controllers, security personnel, and other critical staff unpaid, exacerbating personnel shortages and operational challenges. Last weekend alone, over 10,000 flights experienced delays, with travelers already enduring long security lines. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, ‘We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself.’ The cancellations coincide with the peak Thanksgiving travel season, potentially affecting thousands of daily flights. Major airports in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles are expected to bear the brunt of the disruptions. Airlines like United and Delta have pledged compliance but assured that international and hub-to-hub routes will remain unaffected. The shutdown, triggered by Congress’s failure to approve funding, has left 1.4 million federal workers either furloughed or working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the strain on aviation staff, many of whom are taking sick leave or seeking secondary employment to make ends meet. Bedford described the situation as unprecedented, marking a new low in the impact of government shutdowns on critical infrastructure.

In the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across western Jamaica, the resilience of the affected communities has been both inspiring and concerning. Denworth Finnikin, a concerned citizen, has highlighted the immediate and long-term challenges faced by residents in areas such as St Elizabeth and Trelawny. While the spirit of the people is commendable, with many quickly repairing their homes using zinc sheets, the underlying issues of poor construction and maintenance pose a significant threat. Many homes have rotted or improperly constructed rafters and lathes, making them vulnerable to future storms. Finnikin emphasizes the need for a structured roof reconstruction program, modeled after the successful ‘Safe Roof Reconstruction’ project implemented post-Hurricane Gustav in 2010. This initiative, led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the HEART/NSTA Trust, ensured that homes were rebuilt to withstand future storms. Finnikin proposes a similar approach for western Jamaica, focusing on site advisement, professional execution, and public education campaigns to ensure long-term safety and resilience. He urges the relevant authorities to act decisively before the next hurricane season, highlighting the opportunity to address decades of vulnerability and invest in the security of rural citizens.