Aid collections underway for Hurricane Melissa victims in Jamaica

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- As Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Monday, Action News spoke with those who are waiting for the storm to pass.

Janet Silvera has family in Philadelphia and is trying to keep them informed as she shelters in a resort in Montego Bay.

"I decided to relocate to somewhere where I felt I would be safer," she said, adding she was concerned about storm surge at her home. "Lots of trees will be down. It's obvious that our infrastructure is going to be affected."

READ MORE | Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica

Here at home, Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the global Jamaica Diaspora Council Northeast representative, is checking in on friends and family. She was able to face time with a colleague in Mandeville who was riding out the unprecedented storm.

Tulloch-Neil is working with the Jamaican Consulate in Philadelphia to gather supplies to send aid to Jamaica.

"Think of the greatest level of need and that's where you're going to put it -- at the top. Because this is something that we've never experienced," she said.

One of the donation sites is Besco Shippers at 55th and Baltimore Ave. in West Philadelphia. Company president Ludlow Harding, originally from Kingston, says he'll do everything he can to get the supplies there.

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"We'll never say no to something like this. Even if you have to do it for free, you just have to do it," said Harding.

Tulloch-Neil says there are also local churches collecting goods and monetary donations. The consulate is working on putting together a list of sites.

As for what to donate, the needs will likely change once the storm moves through, but for now they're asking for emergency and survival supplies: generators, tarps, lanterns, batteries, clothing, and medical supplies.

If you have questions about making a donation, contact the Jamaica Diaspora Northeast at ne2diaspora@gmail.com.