A man from Nova Scotia indicates that Jamaican residents are well-prepared for Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that hit the Caribbean island on Tuesday. Phil Rock, a former Halifax firefighter and horticulturist, has been in Jamaica since last week, getting ready for the storm. During his stay in Negril, he is assisting a friend in safeguarding their property and pets.
Rock commended the resilience and resourcefulness of the Jamaican people, noting the community spirit and proactive preparation efforts that have been ongoing for about five days due to the slow movement of the storm. He mentioned that both his and his friend’s homes are solidly built and situated on the island’s west coast, likely avoiding the worst impacts of the storm.
Following Melissa’s passage through Cuba and the Bahamas, Rock intends to volunteer in the recovery and reconstruction efforts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has labeled Melissa as the most powerful hurricane to hit a Caribbean nation in recent history.
Meanwhile, seasonal workers from Jamaica employed at farms in Nova Scotia are closely monitoring the storm updates. Josh Oulton, co-owner of Taproot Farms in Port Williams, N.S., shared that the atmosphere among the workers is somber, with live updates from Jamaica dominating conversations. Oulton allowed phones at work due to the seriousness of the situation, enabling some workers to contact their families in Jamaica. Concerns revolve around the safety of loved ones and property damage resulting from the storm.
Oulton expressed his inability to provide solutions but emphasized the importance of supporting these workers who have been contributing to Nova Scotia’s agriculture for decades. He anticipates community initiatives to raise funds for the affected individuals, calling on Nova Scotians to lend a helping hand in this time of need.