{"id":341744,"date":"2025-10-29T22:40:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T22:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341744\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T22:40:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T22:40:09","slug":"jamaica-hurricane-melissa-update-travelers-from-chicago-area-waiting-to-leave-caribbean-amid-flooding-catastrophic-winds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341744\/","title":{"rendered":"Jamaica Hurricane Melissa update: Travelers from Chicago area waiting to leave Caribbean amid flooding, catastrophic winds"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team checked in with travelers from the Chicago area who are waiting to get off the island of Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa<\/a> tore through.<\/p>\n

Before the storm made landfall, some locally in the Chicago area went into to action to assist Jamaicans after Hurricane Melissa. Donations are already being accepted at some local businesses.<\/p>\n

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24\/7. Click here to watch<\/a><\/p>\n

One couple from Romeoville has been trying to get home for more than a week now.<\/p>\n

ABC7 heard from Kristin Andrews Tuesday<\/a>, and Wednesday night, she and her husband say the last 24 hours have been the most intense as Hurricane Melissa made landfall. They were left without power, which made for hot conditions, and everyone in the resort in Falmouth, Jamaica had to sleep in two of the restaurants on site, which is the designated safe zone.<\/p>\n

“This was like no other type of wind, and it was shaking the doors,” Andrews said. “There’s like an outside door, a door that leads to the outside from one of the restaurants, and the door was just visibly shaking so hard. but luckily, we were fine.”<\/p>\n

Power has since been restored-though she said they’re still working on the air conditioning.<\/p>\n

Andrews says there’s significant damage at the resort with debris scattered everywhere, but everyone appears to be unharmed. Everyone is still sleeping in the restaurant area while the crew cleans the debris.<\/p>\n

Andrews wants her family to know that she and her husband are okay. They have two flights booked this weekend and are hoping one of them comes through so they can get home.<\/p>\n

READ MORE |<\/strong> Chicagoans stranded as Cat. 5 Hurricane Melissa brings floods, catastrophic winds to Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n

Local businesses have begun accepting donations for Jamaicans impacted by the historic hurricane.<\/p>\n

Claire’s Korner in Evanston is among the restaurants locally taking donations. A collection barrel was delivered Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Previously, the Jamaican Youth Assistance Program had collected donations here for an annual back to school back pack giveaway to Jamaican children. Now, that network is being tapped to get help to those children, their families and schools after Hurricane Melissa.<\/p>\n

“It’s terrible. It’s the worst that we’ve had,” said Dennis Sutherland with the Jamaican Youth Assistance Program. “I see a lot of floods. I see a lot of floods, even hospitals loose their whole roof.”<\/p>\n

Dr. Latoya Reeves is a principal of an early childhood school in Clarendon, Jamaica. She is among those who will help distribute the donations. She says school supplies and nonperishable food would be most helpful.<\/p>\n

“Some schools that are so damaged that they can not move back in and they are going to have to do some temporary shelter for those students so whatever you can assist us because the need is dire,” Dr. Reeves said.<\/p>\n

Claire Bhalai, the owner of Claire’s Korner, is happy to help as she is seeing images of the damage and is still worried for friends and relatives that can not be reached.<\/p>\n

“I just hope everybody come as one right now and build back Jamaica the way it was,” Bhalai said. “I have a cousin his daughter lives in St. Elizabeth can’t get a hold her right now, and I have a cousin who lives in Clarendon, trying to get a hold of her, we can’t.”<\/p>\n

It seems even in their anxiety of not being able to connect with loved ones, some are channeling their energy into getting help to those who need it most.<\/p>\n

Once donation barrels are filled, they will be sent to New Jersey and then directly to the Jamaican Youth Assistance Program contacts in Jamaica.<\/p>\n

For more information on how to donate through the Jamaican Youth Assistance Program, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A drop-off site for nonperishables and school supplies at Claire’s Korner is located at 1827 Emerson Street in Evanston, Illinois. Call (847)328-7650 for more information.<\/p>\n

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