Stafford Geohagen, a restaurateur from Brixton, represents countless Londoners with family in Jamaica anxiously awaiting news following Hurricane Melissa.

This storm ranks as the most powerful to hit the Caribbean island in recent history, reaching peak winds of 298 km/h (185 mph)—a force surpassing that of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged New Orleans in 2005, resulting in 1,392 fatalities.

Authorities in Jamaica have confirmed at least five deaths in the St Elizabeth region on the island’s southwestern coast.

Mr. Geohagen remarked, “Once the initial chaos subsides and we assess the destruction, we will unite as a nation and rebuild.”

In Jamaica, large areas remain cut off without electricity or phone service, with updates coming in very gradually.

Overnight, approximately 75% of the nation was without power, and significant portions of western Jamaica are submerged, leaving homes in ruins due to the fierce winds.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated that Hurricane Melissa has wrought “total devastation” in some regions, including the complete destruction of the town of Black River.

In neighboring Haiti, river flooding linked to the hurricane has claimed at least 20 lives, including 10 children, with an additional 10 individuals reported missing, according to the national civil defense authority.

Haiti’s less developed infrastructure suggests that many communities will face “extensive damage and isolation.”

Mr. Geohagen, the owner of the Jamaican eatery Healthy Eaters, shared that his parents, siblings, and extended family reside in Jamaica.

“We must be strong and unified during these tough times. Rebuilding is always challenging.

“But I can guarantee that Jamaicans possess incredible strength, resilience, and readiness to withstand any challenges that arise.”

He advised his father to seek shelter with his brother before the storm struck, alerting him that remaining in place would be “akin to a suicide mission.”

“They relocated to my older brother’s house,” Mr. Geohagen explained. “His home has a sturdier slab roof, and he secured all his storm shutters, making it an ideal refuge during this severe storm.”

He mentioned that he has been attempting to reach out to his family every hour.

“I know there are extensive power outages.

“My brother has a more reliable internet setup.

“However, I’ve lost contact with other family members. Many rely on local providers, and without power, most of those connections are down.

“It’s very frustrating not knowing what’s happening with the rest of my family.”

He believes the hurricane has strengthened national solidarity, saying, “Despite the hurdles, I have no doubt Jamaica will rebuild.

“When the initial turmoil subsides and we assess the aftermath, we will unite and rise again.”

BBC London interviewed other London residents affected by the hurricane.

One woman relayed that her relatives had to evacuate their flooded home to higher ground.

“Since they live right by the coast, they had to move to safety.

“We are preparing barrels for them, and they are in our daily prayers.”

Another resident expressed her worries, stating, “I feel helpless. That makes my anxiety worse.”

Mandy Tomlin from Brent was vacationing in Ochi on Jamaica’s northern coast when the hurricane struck.

She recounted how people were “fighting for survival” and taking food from the hotel’s restaurant after it was locked down.

Ms. Tomlin described the frightening sounds of “trees snapping and the wind battering the doors” as Hurricane Melissa approached.

“It was terrifying since we’ve never faced a situation like this before, so we didn’t know what actions to take,” she noted. “Many people were hiding in bathrooms.”

The Jamaican government has ordered evacuations from areas at high risk, and all airports in the nation have been closed.

As many as 8,000 British citizens currently find themselves in Jamaica, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urging them to register on the government website for updates.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the scenes “truly shocking” and assured that the UK is prepared to offer humanitarian assistance to Jamaica.

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Sir Keir announced that the naval vessel HMS Trent and special rapid deployment teams have been stationed in the region to provide aid.

Additional reporting by Grant Williams, Local Democracy Reporting Service.