A man from Nova Scotia reports that Jamaican residents are well-prepared for Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that hit the island on Tuesday. Phil Rock, a retired Halifax firefighter and horticulturalist, has been in Jamaica since last week, overseeing his property in Negril and assisting a friend with their home and pets.
Rock praised the resilience and resourcefulness of the Jamaican people, noting their unity in facing the storm. He mentioned the proactive preparations made by locals over the past five days due to the slow progression of the hurricane. Both his and his friend’s sturdy homes on the west coast are expected to withstand the storm’s impact.
Once Melissa moves towards Cuba and the Bahamas, Rock plans to volunteer in recovery and reconstruction efforts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicts Melissa as the most potent hurricane to hit a Caribbean nation in recent history.
In Nova Scotia, seasonal workers from Jamaica are closely monitoring the storm’s progress. Josh Oulton, co-owner of Taproot Farms, shared that about 20 Jamaican workers are concerned about their homeland. Despite their work commitments, Oulton allowed phones at the farm for updates on the hurricane, enabling some workers to contact their families in Jamaica.
The workers fear for their loved ones’ safety and property damage, with Oulton highlighting the community’s desire to support those affected. He expressed the need for fundraising initiatives to assist these workers who have contributed to Nova Scotia’s agricultural sector for two decades.