Jamaicans in Florida bracing for impact of powerful Hurricane Milton
Miami consulate closes
NEW YORK, United States — With Hurricane Milton forecast to hit Florida imminently as a powerful Category 5 storm, Jamaicans across the state are now involved in intense preparation, with some already heeding evacuation warnings issued by local authorities.
Florida has one of the largest concentrations of Jamaicans in the diaspora.
Peter Gracey, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the southern United States (US), said many Jamaicans in places such as Tampa and nearby Bradenton have evacuated or are stocking up on essentials like water, food and toiletries.
“Many people have also boarded up their premises while others have used sandbags to mitigate against flooding,” said Gracey.
“The prospect of flooding is of particular concern to Tampa and the Tampa Bay areaas forecasters have predicted that the areas could see 10 to 15 feet of water surge from Hurricane Milton.”
Gracey noted that “the true Jamaican spirit of coming to the assistance of one another in times of need has also been on display as some people, including myself, have reached out to help a number of elderly Jamaicans prepare for the hurricane”.
He said, however, that Milton has already forced one unfortunate decision, as supplies which were being sourced to assist Jamaicans impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina may now have to be shifted to assist potential victims of Milton in Florida.
In West Palm Beach, Damian Thompson who works in retail, told the Jamaica Observer that preparations there were also intense. “Many within the Jamaican community here are in long lines at gas stations trying to fill up. In some instances, water is being rationed,” he said.
Raymond Rhoden, a retired adjunct professor in Coral Springs, said Jamaicans are “paying keen attention to the warnings about Hurricane Milton and taking all precautionary measures to ensure their safety and minimise any damage to property”.
In Orlando Joan Edghill, who is president of the Jamaican Association of Central Florida, said “the preparation is a bit more intense than usual. People seem to be taking this seriously as homes are being boarded up and food, water and other essentials are being secured in great urgency and in whatever quantities are available”.
Richard Campbell, who is running for a seat as commissioner in Lauderhill, said the Jamaican community there is doing everything they can to be safe as the matter is being taken seriously. He said the warnings from local authorities and the media have been “intense and detailed”.
In Jacksonville, Clarence Brown, a former correctional officer with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in Jamaica, said he had “always been prepared for the eventuality of a hurricane” and so is not currently engaged in any large-scale preparation.
In contrast, Port St Lucie resident Harvey Taylor, a former member of Jamaica Defence Force, said he was in the process of boarding up his house when the Observer spoke to him on Tuesday (yesterday).
He said members of his St Lucie Cricket and Sports Association and other Jamaicans are reaching out to assist members of the Wounded Warriors Project, an organisation which provides help for ex-service members.
Hurricane Milton is forecast to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area late Wednesday to Thursday morning.
In the meantime, the Jamaican Consulate in Miami closed its offices early yesterday ahead of Milton’s arrival. It will reopen Friday, should weather conditions allow, the consulate said. In a notice issued yesterday, it said it will “continue to monitor the weather forecast and provide additional notifications as conditions warrant.
“Consul General Oliver Mair continues to encourage persons to stay vigilant and safe during this time,” the consulate said.