Jamaicans in Florida spared the worst effects of Hurricane Milton

Jamaicans in Florida have weathered Hurricane Milton with little damage and no loss of lives.

Jamaica's Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, told The Gleaner that his checks revealed that there were mostly reports of property damage and loss of power.

“I have been in constant touch with Jamaicans in the hurricane affected communities and these checks have revealed no loss of lives, so far, and merely minor property damage. The biggest impact seems to have been loss of power,” he said.

Consul General Mair said he should have a better sense of how the hurricane impacted the Jamaican communities later as he continues to check in with members to get updated reports.

Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida early Wednesday night as a category three storm, leaving at least six people dead and more than three million people without electricity.

The hurricane also spawned several tornadoes which authorities said contributed to some of the deaths, especially in the Port St Lucie area.

Consul General Mair said that the tornadoes posed a major threat to the Jamaican communities but, so far, there has been no report of major destruction to properties.

“I want to offer my prayers and sympathies to those impacted by the hurricane and would also like to thank the first responders for the job they are doing to assist the communities,” he said.

Mair said that “Jamaicans seemed to have fared fairly well but we say that cautiously.”

He said that the Consulate is taking calls from Jamaicans who may be in need of assistance and directing them to the relevant authorities.

Mair also said that Jamaican students in the Tampa Bay area had evacuated to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and elsewhere.

“I can report that these students are safe and doing well,” he told The Gleaner.

Peter Gracey, the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council Member of the Southern region of the United States and a resident in the Orlando area, also told The Gleaner that his checks with Jamaicans revealed no deaths and only minor property damage.

“We have downed trees, a loss of electricity and some water damage but, so far, we are not getting reports of any major damage or a loss of lives,” he told The Gleaner.

However, Gracey said that many Jamaicans in the Tampa Bay area had evacuated and he was unable to get in touch with them.

“We should have a clearer picture as the day proceeds,” he said.

Former Diaspora leader and attorney, Wayne Golding, also told The Gleaner that all reports that he received indicated that Jamaicans fared well from the hurricane.

“There has been mostly wind damage but I am not getting any reports of major property damage or loss of lives,” he said.

- Lester Hinds

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