Sudbury woman awaits word from family in Jamaica

Playing null of undefined

Sudbury woman awaits word from family in Jamaica after hurricane

CTV National News: Jamaicans in Canada fear for families hit by Hurricane Melissa

A Greater Sudbury restaurateur is enduring an agonizing wait for news from Jamaica, where her family resides in the hurricane-impacted region of Clerandon.

Nickesha Simpson, the owner of Nikki’s Jamaican Kitchen, has been unable to contact her loved ones – including her father who lives in a local nursing home.

“We are kinda worried about that just making sure that he is okay and supplies are able to reach them. The roads are not blocked off and so on,” she said, speaking with CTV News on Wednesday.

“That really is most of our worries that they are able to get the necessary needs met. This time is a tumultuous time for them.”

Concerns for the family home

Beyond the immediate safety of her family, Simpson is also awaiting word on the status of the family home. She expressed some specific concerns to CTV News about the property’s mountainous location, which presents unique dangers during a severe storm.

“I guess the worry would probably be the trees falling down because we live so high up the mountain flooding is not really what we are most worried about maybe more land sliding,” said Simpson.

Community support in Sudbury

Simpson opened her downtown Sudbury restaurant in April to share the flavours of her homeland. She has found solace in the concern shown by her customers, who have been checking in on her family’s well-being since Hurricane Melissa made landfall.

“Everybody has come in just kinda asked, you know, have you heard from your family, ‘everybody okay out there?’ So, everybody is a little bit concerned,” she said.

“And (in) Sudbury there is a lot of people who travel to Jamaica for vacations and also have family and friends there as well, so it’s a loved country.”

As the wait continues, Simpson described her anxiety level as high – but said she is hoping for a positive update from her loved ones.

RELATED STORIES:

• Jamaica in ‘recovery mode’ as Melissa causes significant damages to western region
• ‘The roof ripped off their house’ Ottawans hear from family in Jamaica following hurricane
• Simcoe County residents worry for loved ones in Jamaica
• No Canadians reported dead from Hurricane Melissa, Ottawa offers to help region
• Hurricane Melissa leaves dozens dead in trail of destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica