After Jamaica awoke to submerged buildings, toppled infrastructure, and widespread electrical outages in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, uncertainty hangs over members of the Jamaican community on Martha’s Vineyard as they try to contact family.
The Internet has been down across the Caribbean nation, making it difficult for some to reach their homeland. Meanwhile, local efforts are brewing on the Cape and Islands to offer support.
**Hurricane Melissa’s Impact on Jamaica**
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a devastating Category 5 hurricane—the strongest in the country’s history. With wind speeds around 185 mph, the violent storm ravaged the island nation. Howling winds peeled roofs off buildings, and floodwaters coursed through the streets.
Now that the hurricane has passed Jamaica, the powerful storm continues barreling through the Caribbean with winds of 125 mph. It is one of the most powerful storms ever formed in the Atlantic Basin.
National news outlets reported Wednesday that dozens have already died in the Caribbean as a result of the storm.
**Local Response on Martha’s Vineyard**
On an island with a large population of Jamaican immigrants, many have sprung into action in response to the crisis.
Edgartown resident Sherice Henry Green, originally from Jamaica, started a GoFundMe campaign to support St. Catherine—the parish where she grew up.
Green shared that her home was located in the countryside, and her community historically has been one of the last to receive aid after natural disasters.
“I know how scary it is,” Green said, recalling her childhood experiences when there were weeks or even months without electricity following powerful storms.
Fallen trees and landslides also make it difficult to reach nearby towns for supplies. Green has seen videos of intense rain and damaged buildings even before the hurricane made landfall, which motivated her to take action.
Green’s family home was severely damaged by Melissa, but she was able to confirm her family members were safe in a relative’s home with a sturdy structure. However, they had run out of batteries, and she had been unable to contact them since.
“As of yesterday, they are OK,” Green told The Times on Wednesday afternoon.
**Ongoing Concerns Within the Community**
While Green said her family was safe, not everyone can be as certain. She has heard from others in the island’s Jamaican community who have not been able to reach their families, including a woman from St. Ann.
“Everybody’s saying the same thing: you can’t reach anyone because there’s no electricity anywhere,” Green said.
Pastor Donna Howell, who leads New Life Ministries International M.V., a Pentecostal church that gathers at the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs, mentioned that some members of her congregation also haven’t been able to contact family in Jamaica.
“We are just praying they are OK,” Howell said.
Howell, from St. Mary parish, said her family was able to connect to Wi-Fi and let her know they were safe. She noted that the Jamaican community has been intensely focused on the unfolding news.
Southern parishes that were first to experience Hurricane Melissa’s landfall—like St. Elizabeth and Manchester—suffered “great damage,” including flooded hospitals and toppled utility poles.
**Plans to Provide Assistance**
Howell, who leads congregations on the Vineyard and in Hyannis, said options for helping Jamaica are still being considered.
She shared that the Hyannis congregation has organized “barrel drives” during past storms, collecting barrels filled with supplies such as clothes and nonperishables based on specific needs. These barrels are then shipped to ports in Kingston or Montego Bay.
Still, Howell emphasized that as it’s still early days after the hurricane, the community is focused on gathering accurate information.
“We will be offering help in any way we can,” Howell said.
Meanwhile, Howell highlighted a GoFundMe campaign led by Pastor David G. Brown, who heads Emmanuel Faith Ministries in North Truro and is affiliated with New Life Ministries, aiming to support Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
**Community Support and Solidarity**
Green asked people to “keep us in your prayers,” expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.
“Many Vineyarders have reached out looking for ways to help,” she said. “The support and love has been so heartwarming.”
As the Jamaican community on Martha’s Vineyard rallies to support their homeland, efforts continue to develop to provide aid and comfort in this challenging time.
https://www.mvtimes.com/2025/10/29/dread-uncertainty-swirls-among-vineyard-jamaican-community/