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Woman's mixed emotions after Jamaica hurricane

Andrea PluckNorthamptonshire
Jodi Jenny A selfie showing Jodi's head and shoulders. She has a slight smile and has white wireless buds in her ears. She has dark hair. A drinks bar appears to be behind her.Jodi Jenny
Ms Jenny said the storm could have been much worse for her home country

A Jamaican woman living in the UK said "there's lots to give thanks for" after an anxious wait to hear from family in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

At least five people have been confirmed dead on the island following the category five storm this week. At least another 20 died during flooding in Haiti.

Jodi Jenny, who now lives in Stanwick, Northamptonshire, said she was relieved to hear her family and friends were safe after losing connection during the worst of the storm.

"There's parts of the island that are absolutely devastated and it's just heartbreaking to see what everybody's going through," she said.

"Where we're from it wasn't as bad; there's lots of tree damage but not so much to homes as there was in other areas.

"There's lots to give thanks for as well because it could be much worse; my childhood home is safe and things like that, so thank goodness."

The 43-year-old was especially concerned for her "spritely" 98-year-old grandfather but said "he managed to weather the storm".

Ms Jenny said it had been a "nervous" wait to find out if her loved ones in St Ann Parish were safe after no contact since Monday evening.

About three-quarters of the country lost electricity and many areas were without phone coverage.

Jodi Jenny Three males sit alongside each other on a sofa in a house. From left to right they are: Jordan Murdoch, who appears aged in his 30s and is wearing a T-shirt with the words that read 'Ohana' and 'family'. In the middle is 98-year-old Hopeton Murdoch, Jodi's grandfather who is wearing glasses and a white vest. On the right is Jodi's son Julian who is wearing a New York branded basketball jersey.Jodi Jenny
Ms Jenny said her grandfather Hopeton Murdoch, who is pictured with her brother Jordan Murdoch, as well as her son, "managed to weather the storm"

She added there was a "wonderful sense of community" after hearing from her friend.

"She's been in touch and said the sun is out, the weather is sweet, and they're just trying to clear up to get back to some kind of normality.

"It's really amazing how it works because when this storm came through, the skies were grey with rain and wind and now it looks absolutely beautiful.

"The weather is great again and everybody is trying to have a clear up and assess damage where need be."

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