KINGSTON, Jamaica — Anticipating severe flooding and storm surges from Hurricane Melissa which is now battering the country, many Jamaicans had sought safety in emergency shelters. However, one man says he is ready to return home after less than a day at one of the facilities.

When Observer Online visited the National Arena in Kingston, Junior, who hails from Shooters Hill in St Andrew said he had been at the shelter there since Monday night but wants to return to his “five bedroom house”.

“I have so many things to attend to including my animal, property and everything to take care of and I live alone. My brother isn’t there. If my brother was there then I would be okay, but there is no one there,” he explained. “And [the house] just leave stranded and the weather is there now. Mi can put on something and come out and fix whatever and don’t make it get worse.”

Junior said being at home would allow him to make necessary repairs that could prevent further damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Adding to his frustration, he claimed he had been accused of opening a gate when he insisted he was simply fixing it so it wouldn’t “tear open”.

“Is a loving time now. Mi want go home, go show love to others. They don’t accept it here,” he said.