Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information on Hurricane Melissa as of about 6 a.m. Wednesday.
People in Central Florida with ties to Jamaica have been preparing to provide help to the island nation in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The storm struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane with top sustained winds of 185 mph.
Early Wednesday morning, Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba as a major hurricane, and officials in Jamaica prepared to fan out to assess the damage, according to The Associated Press.
The AP reported extensive damage in parts of Clarendon in southern Jamaica and in the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth. More than half a million customers were without power. Officials said that most of Jamaica experienced downed trees, downed power lines and extensive flooding.
Getting ready to help
Last year, when Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica, the Jamaican American Association of Central Florida collected supplies and funds to help out after the storm.
This time -- as slow-moving Hurricane Melissa threatened with extremely high winds and flooding -- there were greater concerns for the people back home
“We are very concerned about loss of life this time,” said association president Joan Edghill. “Our group will be meeting to pray over Jamaica and also to talk about the best way to assist those in need in the aftermath.”
The association already has a disaster drive going focused on raising funds.
Mark Jathan is collecting canned goods and other items at his restaurant, Mark's Jamaican Bar & Grill, at 10173 University Blvd. in Orlando.
“The concern is at a high level right now knowing, you know, in some places the limited resources they have there and the challenges they’re going to face,” Jathan said.
He’s been talking regularly with family on the island.
“We just don't want … to lose anybody from the storm. So we try to encourage all our folks back home to take the necessary precaution,” Jathan said.
He says everybody there is "like family" and they look out for each other especially in challenging times.
