Rain, as little as a light drizzle, has become an unpleasant experience for Mae Allen’s two-year-old grandson, so much so that the mere sound of raindrops makes the little boy cry.

His fear is part of the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28 as one of the most ferocious storms ever with 185 mph winds and torrential rainfall. The Category 5 weather system caused catastrophic damage across western Jamaica, killing more than 40 people and leaving hundreds homeless.

One of five young children in the household located in Wakefield, Trelawny, the two-year-old had to evacuate along with his family in the middle of the storm, days before his second birthday.

“We wrapped them up, there were no injuries, thanks be to God [but] you know my little two year old baby, anytime he hears the rain he starts to cry, he’s afraid, he’s afraid,” Mae Allen told Observer Online. “He says ‘mama mi fraid’ anytime the rain is coming [and] starts to run.”

According to consultant psychiatrist Dr Sapphire Longmore, reliving the event is among symptoms of lingering trauma children may present as a result of Hurricane Melissa.

“They may refer to it, they may have dreams about it, they may even space out where they’re so caught up in the recall of the situation, it can become very damaging that way,” Longmore said.

“They could be easily startled, easily frightened, and they may also avoid situations that remind them of what has happened but those are usually seen later on. What you may see now is changes in what we call their vegetative symptoms,” she added.

Those symptoms, the psychiatrist explained, can include appetite and sleep pattern changes, excessive clinginess, or excessive detachment, among other varying behaviours.

“Why I am trying not to be pinpoint specific is that this is a situation that, in our lifetimes, we have not experienced on this scale. So, a lot of our children, especially those who were not prepared for what was coming, which as I suspect is a significant majority, are almost like their parents going to be in a state of almost shock,” Longmore explained.

Allen described having to soothe her grandchild – whom she did not wish to name – by holding him and rubbing his back during the passage of any rain since Melissa.

Observer Online received other reports of children displaying similar symptoms to that of Allen’s grandson. Another resident of Wakefield, Fayon Ellis, explained that her daughter is now afraid of the dark.

“We run the risk of an entire generation, being significantly damaged by the fallout from Melissa,” Longmore cautioned.

As more reports surface of lingering mental trauma among children after Hurricane Melissa, Longmore is advising that the reestablishment of structure and leisure in their lives is an important part of recovery.

“Apart from immediately returning a sense of security, and the basic needs of food, water, shelter, clothing, we now have to start trying to re-instill some sense of happiness and play in these children,” Longmore said, emphasising that she is a “huge” advocate for play.

“Play is one of the best, most healing things we can do for our children out there now – play and a return as quickly as possible to a sense of structure and organisation,” she said.

Longmore indicated that the facilitation of play in a post-Melissa environment could take many forms. She urged those making hurricane relief donations to make an effort to bring toys, puzzles and games.

She also proposed mobile play units that could be set up in affected communities, providing access to books and other stimulation for youngsters for a period of time, under supervision.

“Temporary it is yes, but at least for a few hours, parents could send their children there, while they try to deal with restoring normalcy at home as best as possible,” she explained, adding “Let me just underscore that this is not just for the little children; this can be effective for all age groups.”

Allen explained that the experience of Melissa was traumatic for her as well.

“It’s under the kitchen counter that we went, five babies plus… four adults under there, and we cried, we cried like hell,” she explained.

The family eventually exited their home during the storm to seek safe haven

“My daughter was before me with her baby, and I had to hug them up, one of my daughters even fell … it was terrible, terrible,” she said

Longmore also had advice for similarly struggling parents observing signs of trauma in their children

“If you recognise any of the things that I mentioned before, try to be available and restore a sense of safety and protection for your child. Try to relate a plan of action because a lot of time the anxiety and the fear comes when there’s no hope,” the psychiatrist said.

“There’s a sense of a lack of control which is what something like Melissa brought. And the child is oftentimes being cared for as best as a parent can, but not being the priority because right now devastation has hit parent has to stay to the very basic needs,” she added.

Other suggestions include incorporating the child in the post storm response, giving them an age appropriate task that allows them to feel helpful, and showing love and empathy.

“Show love at this time, show empathy, be patient as best as possible, listen and try to communicate from the heart right now and then recognise that their reaction is valid,” Longmore said.

Parents observing increasing signs of trauma without improvement are urged to contact the authorities for assistance.

The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at (876) 639-5433.