Jamaican music icon Sean Paul has voiced the immense scale of the recovery effort following Hurricane Melissa, calling the situation ‘overwhelming.’ The powerful Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction across the island last week, leaving many in shock, including the artist’s own young children.
“That’s the first time they’ve seen trees dance like that and the wind move like that,” Paul shared with BBC News. He described his children as still being in shock and traumatised by the event, highlighting the immense fear experienced, especially by the young ones. He expressed empathy for those directly in the storm’s path, likening the experience to living in the Middle Ages.
Hurricane Melissa, with winds reaching up to 185mph (295 km/h), resulted in at least 28 fatalities. While Sean Paul and his family were in the capital, Kingston, other areas, particularly to the west, bore the brunt of the storm’s fury.
The artist recounted the difficulty of witnessing the devastation, admitting to breaking down after days of trying to help. “It’s just the amount of energy it takes, and the depression that starts to set in, and then you have to shake yourself out of it because there’s just so much to be done that we haven’t even tipped the iceberg yet,” he explained.
He described visiting the countryside of St. Mary, which, while not as severely hit as other regions, still suffered from a lack of power and communication. Many residents were unable to contact loved ones to check on their safety, adding to the widespread anxiety.
Paul also highlighted the struggle to get aid distributed effectively due to damaged roads and blocked areas. He shared a heartbreaking story of 15 infants sleeping in cardboard boxes, emphasizing the critical need for immediate assistance.
Sean Paul has pledged $50,000 to support Food For The Poor Jamaica and is working with fellow artist Shaggy to organise a larger benefit concert in December to raise further funds and awareness.