A resident of Nova Scotia reports that Jamaican residents are well-prepared for Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that hit the island on Tuesday. Phil Rock, a retired firefighter and horticulturalist from Halifax, has been in Jamaica since last week getting ready for the hurricane. He is staying in Negril for a month, overseeing his property and assisting a friend with their home and pets.
Rock praised the resilience and resourcefulness of the Jamaican people, noting how everyone is coming together to support each other. With Melissa moving slowly, preparations have been ongoing for about five days in anticipation of the storm’s impact. Both Rock’s and his friend’s homes are considered sturdy and strategically located on the island’s west coast, likely offering some protection from the worst effects of the hurricane.
Once the storm passes through Cuba and the Bahamas, Rock intends to volunteer in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has labeled Melissa as the most potent hurricane to hit a Caribbean nation in recent history.
In Nova Scotia, seasonal workers from Jamaica employed at farms are also closely monitoring updates about the hurricane. Josh Oulton, co-owner of Taproot Farms in Port Williams, mentioned that about 20 Jamaican workers are feeling somber as they follow the news from their homeland. Despite the farm’s busy activities, the atmosphere is tense, with live updates from Jamaica being a constant presence.
Oulton allowed workers to use phones at work, considering the seriousness of the situation. Some employees managed to contact their families in Jamaica as late as 3 p.m. AT, while others faced communication challenges. Concerns about the safety of loved ones during the storm and worries about property damage weigh heavily on their minds.
The community is rallying to find ways to support the Jamaican workers and their families affected by Hurricane Melissa. Calls for fundraising efforts to aid those who have been integral in providing for Nova Scotians for many years are gaining traction, with the hope that Nova Scotia will step up to assist in these times of need.