Jamaican residents say they can't reach their families back home after Hurricane Melissa makes landfall
Over at Jerk Fillet in Canarsie, bringing those Jamaican flavors to neighbors here is helping to keep their minds busy.
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After Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, residents in Brooklyn say they are waiting by their phones, desperately trying to reach loved ones back home.
For Niki Gordon, head chef at Irie Jerk in East Flatbush, it's an uneasy feeling of not being able to reach her family back in Spanish Town.
“Right now, no light is there in Jamaica,” said Gordon. “Fifty percent or 60% of Jamaica is without electricity. I tried to reach them on WhatsApp. It just says calling, calling, calling. No ring.”
Still she remains positive, and certain that even after 20 inches of rainfall and wind gusts surpassing 100 mph — Jamaicans will weather this storm.
“Jamaicans is a resilient set of people,” said Gordon. "Because even in 1988, I was in the water in Jamaica playing in the street when Gilberto was going on.”
Over at Jerk Fillet in Canarsie, bringing those Jamaican flavors to neighbors here is helping to keep their minds busy.
“My prayers and thoughts go with all Jamaican people,” said Kirk. “People that's on the island, people that are visiting the islands. It's a sad thing, but I really, really pray for them. That's all I could do right now.”
Optimum offering free calls, texts from the US to Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa
