More than a day after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a devastating Category 5 storm, Chris Garwood was still attempting to reach his mother and sister living in St. Elizabeth parish. Garwood, a resident of Hamilton since 2001, hails from St. Elizabeth, known as Jamaica’s primary agricultural region. While awaiting updates on his family, Garwood is actively involved in a community initiative in Hamilton, supporting recovery efforts for the island nation.
Expressing concern for his relatives in the severely affected area, Garwood shared his challenges in establishing communication due to extensive damage, especially with fallen utility poles disrupting connections. He mentioned that his brother was attempting to reach their mother in Santa Cruz to assess the situation.
Following Hurricane Melissa’s landfall in St. Elizabeth with powerful winds, reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages emerged. The hurricane caused significant damage in Cuba and Haiti as well, with a tragic loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. In St. Elizabeth, Black River suffered extensive damage, including the collapse of the Black River Hospital’s roof and destruction of longstanding structures like a church.
Jamaican officials highlighted the lack of infrastructure capable of withstanding a Category 5 hurricane, emphasizing the urgency of the recovery process. Garwood urged Canadians to support relief efforts through official channels to avoid fraudulent schemes targeting well-intentioned donors. The Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, where Garwood serves as treasurer, will coordinate local donations to aid the recovery in Jamaica.
President of the Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, Winsome Plummer, shared her concerns for her relatives in St. Ann parish and emphasized the importance of supporting Jamaica in the aftermath of the disaster. Plummer stressed the significance of solidarity with Jamaica, acknowledging the nation’s contributions globally and the need to assist those without adequate resources for recovery. Plans for relief efforts in Hamilton are underway, reflecting the community’s commitment to assisting Jamaica during this challenging time.
