Residents on Long Island anxiously waiting to hear from family members in Jamaica
LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- People on Long Island who have family in Jamaica are waiting anxiously to hear from their loved ones as Hurricane Melissa barrels through the island.
"I'm here in the states, but my mind is back home," said Tropical Jerk employee Omar Kerr.
Kerr moved to the U.S. last year and says nearly 50 of his relatives are in Western Jamaica riding out the storm.
"I've never experienced a category 5 before, so that makes it even scarier," Kerr said.
A Bay Shore resident and lab tech, Serenia Stewart, said her 73-year-old mother is alone in Northern Jamaica after her dad died in May.
"I was afraid for my mom because my dad just passed away so she's the only person that's living there right now by herself and she's an elderly person so I'm truly scared for her," Stewart said.
She said her and her twin sister have been trying to reach their mom by phone.
"We've been checking on her as much we can but the electricity is out right now," Stewart said.
In Southern Jamaica, Freeport Long Island native Winthrope Wellington and his two younger brothers own a resort and say they have all been sheltering in place.
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
