SAVANNAH, Ga. – SallyAnne Gray, originally from Jamaica, finds herself fervently praying for her family back home as Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a formidable category five storm.

The moment Gray heard “category five,” memories of her childhood in Jamaica flooded back. She recalled the time Hurricane Gilbert hit, a category three storm that ripped the roof off her family home.

After speaking with her family on Monday morning, Gray’s worries have grown as the storm escalates to a category five, posing a significant threat to her loved ones and the wider community in Jamaica.

All flights have been suspended since at least Monday, leaving no option for anyone to leave the island. Gray’s primary hope is that the people in Jamaica heed the warnings from their leaders and officials.

“It’s crucial that we listen to the advice from government officials and the Jamaica Meteorological Service,” Gray emphasized. “Our priority should be saving lives, and we can deal with material possessions afterward.”

Recently appointed to the Caribbean Task Force by Mayor Van Johnson, Gray and her husband are determined to leverage their resources to provide any assistance possible.

“There’s a saying in Jamaica that will recall, ‘We Likkle But Wi Tallawah,’ but what that means in English is that we’re small, but we’re mighty, and I just continue to be reminded, like Savannah, that Jamaica is resilient,” said Gray. 

Hurricane Melissa is predicted to make landfall early Tuesday morning.

Gray urges people in Savannah to begin setting aside toiletries, food, water and clothing to ship to Jamaica as soon as it’s safe to do so.