WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Rough seas are now swirling along the Savanna-la-Mar coastline, leaving fishermen worried about how they will recover once the impending storm has passed.

The latest weather update showed that Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm, is predicted to make landfall in eastern Westmoreland Monday night.

On Monday afternoon, many fisherfolk said they were unable to retrieve their fish pots before the marine warnings were issued, and now fear they may lose everything. Replacing just one fish pot can cost approximately $60,000, a heavy blow for those who are still trying to recover from Hurricane Beryl which impacted Jamaica in 2024.

“Last time Beryl come we never get nothing,” lamented Oshane Rowe, a fisherman of Wharf Road. “Dem nuh too care ‘bout we down yah so a Wharf Road innuh. Dem take we name and ting, but we councillor no come talk to we, and we nuh get nuh get no help. We aguh need the help yah now, cause we still no recover from Beryl yet. We just a start build back and now storm again.”

Along Wharf Road and Smithfield, boats and some fish pots were seen pulled ashore as residents tried to secure what they could. While some residents were preparing to evacuate, others said leaving was simply not an option.

“I am not evacuating, I’m staying with my little son and my animal dem, nah run leave dem,” said Garnet Williams, another Wharf Road fisherman. “If the water comes, mi try reach a higher ground. Mi we put di goat dem innah di unfinished house, a di cow and di hog dem mi fret pon. But dem can swim.”

Williams’ home sits just a few feet from the narrow stretch of mangroves separating it from the sea. Like many others in his community, he expressed concern about uncleaned drains that could worsen flooding if the weather deteriorates.

Meanwhile, in the Savanna-la-Mar market, most vendors had already packed up and locked their shops. Some told Observer Online that waves were noticeably higher around 6:00 am, compared to what was seen later in the morning.

“We see wah gwaan already, so we know say it serious,” said Rob Jones, a vendor preparing to leave. “We soon leave man. We just a gwaan watch.”

By mid-morning, other vendors were observed securing their goods and heading for safer areas as light rain began to fall.

At the Godfrey Stewart High School shelter, 33 residents from various Savanna-la-Mar communities had checked in by 10:00 am Monday, with the shelter capable of accommodating up to 80 persons. Among the evacuees were babies as young as 10 months and several elderly residents.

However, concerns were mounting about food shortages and the needs of diabetic patients.

“Miss mi nah no food and mi come here yesterday, from morning mi nuh eat nutten,” said Sharon Atkinson of 137 Dalling Street.

One of her legs is amputated.

“Mi diabetic but mi stomach can’t eat di dry goods so early innah di morning, mi will even drink the hot water widout nutten if dem can get a kettle fi we,” Atkinson added.

Another resident, Theresa Grant of Seaton Crescent, explained that she needed transportation to seek medical attention for a diabetic wound. She explained that she had no choice but to come to the shelter as she lives alone and the house is not stable.

“Mi diabetic too, my mother died from it, a me one deh a di house,” she said. “Mi nuh trust the house. The roof no stable and termite a tek up the board dem, so it may not stand up to di storm. Mi did fi dress the wound this Thursday, but due to the storm the nurse say mi fi come now. Mi can’t take the risk.”

Atkinson, meanwhile, used the opportunity to make a heartfelt plea to Prime Minister Andrew Holness for assistance in obtaining a safer home when the storm has passed.

Across Savanna-la-Mar, a total of 17 shelters have been made available to residents. By 12 noon, light rainfall had begun in the town, signalling the approach of worsening weather conditions.

As fishermen brace for possible losses, and families seek refuge in shelters, the resilience of Westmoreland’s coastal communities is once again being tested by nature’s fury, even as many are still struggling to rebuild from the last disaster.

Sharon Atkinson, resident of 137 Dalling Street is concerned about the food at the shelter and getting a home when the storm passes. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Theresa Grant, resident of Seaton Crescent checked in to the shelter because she said her house may not withstand the storm. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Garnet Williams’ house in Wharf Road, Smith Field Westmoreland. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Boats beached in Wharf Road, Smith Field as Hurricane Melissa approaches. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Fish pots stored as Melissa moves west. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)