KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa, a destructive Category 5 storm, was bearing down on Jamaica, threatening devastation. The storm was expected to hit the island early Thursday morning, before moving across the Caribbean, impacting Cuba, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
It’s expected to be the strongest hurricane in history to hit Jamaica, which has a population of nearly 3 million people.
Winds exceeding 170 mph and up to 40 inches of rain are expected.
Latoya Willory, who lives near the nation’s capitol and largest city, Kingston, said, “Where I am right now, there isn’t much activity going on. Everybody get them preparations out of the way already, I guess. And just waiting on the action.”
Willory expressed her apprehension, saying, “[I’m] very nervous. Not scared, per se, but very nervous, not knowing what is coming.”
Evangela Stanley, owner of People’s Choice Kitchen, shared her concerns for family in Kingston. “I’m extremely concerned. I probably won’t sleep much tonight. Worried like what’s going to happen. I don’t want to get emotional right now, but I’m hoping for the best,” said Stanley.
Stanley planned to send supplies to Jamaica after the storm. “What I want to do is collect toiletries. Clothes, any items that will fill up a barrel…I would love for people to drop off anything that will help the people out in Jamaica,” she said.
Ronald Hall, of Service the Community, emphasized the local support for Jamaica. “I think the community sort of band together to support, you know, support a back home because a lot of them are one, you know, one generation removed from being down there,” said Hall.
Willory advised, “Try to be safe as much as you can. Properties, and, you know, material stuff can be acquired. You know, after all of this is done. Just try a bit, save your life, first of all.”
If you’d like to donate items for Jamaica, you can drop them off at the People’s Choice Kitchen, located at 575 Brooks Avenue.
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