By: Eliana Morales & Nyah Jackson
In Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, a father and son waited inside their family home as the category 5 storm, known as Hurricane Melissa, swept in the afternoon of Oct. 28. Outside, a loud noise announced the hurricane’s arrival. The son, Kurt, peered outside and found the veranda torn off. Moments later, the entire roof was completely gone. The winds were so strong that he and his father, Lloyd, did not feel the rain.
The hurricane quickly devoured everything in sight and tore walls apart. The two men rushed to take refuge in the downstairs garage, climbing into their car to wait out the storm. When it was finally over, they emerged to find the whole house destroyed and everything lost.
Kurt and Lloyd are the uncle and grandfather of Andrew Chambers, a freshman film production major at Southern. They were two of the thousands who experienced the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa, which reached the southern part of the island around 2 p.m. With top wind speeds reaching 185 mph, according to PBS News, Hurricane Melissa became one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The Weather Channel called it historic and catastrophic.
At the storm’s climax, 77% of businesses and homes were without power. According to NBC News, the estimated insured losses in Jamaica are between $2.2 billion and $4.2 billion.
According to the Guardian, Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica’s agricultural areas, which lawmakers said could increase prices on food. The nation’s crucial tourism destinations were also hit, causing thousands of workers to lose their jobs.
Several Southern students said their loved ones have been affected by the hurricane. Sheldon White, a junior photography major, has family members who experienced the category 5 storm.
“My family did not have any losses [of life] but suffered damages from flooding,” he said.
Ashauna Simms, a junior nursing major, also has family in Jamaica who were impacted.
“My [uncle’s and my aunt’s] homes in Jamaica suffered damage,” she said. “Their roofs have almost been completely removed by the harsh storm. From what I’ve heard, all of my extended family is physically safe.”
Simms provided the Accent with a statement from her aunt, Curl McFarlane.
“We lost all of our fruit trees, which is disappointing, but I’m thankful that my husband and I are safe and alive,” McFarlane stated. “It could have been worse, and I am thankful that the trees fell away from our house and that our car wasn’t damaged. Because of the damage to our roof, we had to deal with the furniture and clothes that got wet.”
Aunya Anderson, a senior health science major, spoke about the impact the hurricane had on her family.
“No lives have been lost,” she said, “but many of their homes are destroyed, and their church is destroyed, as well.”
While juggling grades and working in college, the added stress regarding the safety of his family has taken a toll on Chris Sandi, a sophomore media production major. He has been communicating with his relatives in Jamaica and learned that his uncle’s roof was ripped off in the storm.
“Since the hurricane, I’ve been dealing with an extra layer of stress,” Sandi said. “Just knowing that they’re struggling, and I can’t do a thing to help is really disheartening. We are pretty close to Black River, which has essentially been destroyed.”
The death toll has reached 32 in Jamaica, according to NBC News.
After passing through Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa hit Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Bermuda. The death toll in Haiti is at least 43, according to Haiti’s government.
The hurricane hit Bermuda late Oct. 30 and early Oct. 31 with a category 2 intensity.
Jordan Lightbourne, a sophomore mass communication major, said, “My family is in Bermuda, and they were affected by the hurricane mainly through a loss of power and internet for a while, but thankfully everyone is safe.”
Ahmya Peets, a junior art major, was texting her family when the hurricane arrived.
“They were just waiting for when they would lose power,” she said, “and they did, around 12 a.m. The next morning, most of the island was still without power. [There were] lots of branches down, some powerlines down, trees down, debris and low-hanging wires.”
Peets said everything has returned to normal for the most part in Pembroke Parish, Bermuda.
“They cleared the roads, fixed the wires and eventually restored power to everyone on the island,” she said.
According to the U.S. Department of State (DOS), recovery efforts in Jamaica and the other affected countries are underway, with support coming in from the United States.
“President Trump authorized an immediate U.S. response, directing the Department of State to mobilize support for affected communities,” the DOS website states. “Within hours, Secretary of State Marco Rubio deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team, including urban search-and-rescue teams, to assess needs and provide search and recovery assistance. The State Department is collaborating with U.N. agencies, NGOs and host governments to deliver food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelter and search and rescue support.”
As aid pours in, families in Jamaica begin to rebuild their lives. White’s second cousins and uncle have been able to resume work as of Nov. 4.
“They are bouncing back and helping others get back to normalcy,” he said. “I think about them, and wish I could help.”
