A resident of Nova Scotia reported that the people in Jamaica are prepared for Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that hit the Caribbean island on Tuesday. Phil Rock, a retired firefighter and horticulturalist from Halifax, has been in Jamaica since last week to ready for the storm. He is staying in Negril for a month and assisting a friend in safeguarding their property and pets.
Rock praised the resilience and resourcefulness of the Jamaican people, noting how everyone is coming together to support each other. He mentioned that preparations have been underway for about five days due to the slow movement of the storm. Rock expressed confidence in the sturdiness of both his and his friend’s homes on the west coast of the island, suggesting they are likely to withstand the worst of the storm.
Once Hurricane Melissa passes through Cuba and the Bahamas, Rock intends to volunteer for recovery and rebuilding efforts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center declared Melissa as the most powerful hurricane in recent history to impact a Caribbean nation.
Meanwhile, seasonal workers from Jamaica at farms in Nova Scotia are anxiously monitoring weather updates. Josh Oulton, co-owner of Taproot Farms in Port Williams, N.S., mentioned that around 20 Jamaican workers are employed at his farm. He described the atmosphere as somber with live updates from Jamaica being a constant concern.
Oulton allowed phones at work given the gravity of the situation, allowing some workers to contact their loved ones in Jamaica. However, others have struggled to establish communication. Concerns revolve around the safety of family and friends during the storm and potential property damage. Oulton emphasized the need for support and fundraising to aid those who have been contributing to feeding Nova Scotians for the past two decades.
