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When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, Adjani Salmon could only watch from afar, powerless as the storm tore through the island he still calls home. “It was heartbreaking,” he says quietly. “My mum’s house in Montego Bay was damaged, pieces of the roof were completely blown off. That house has stood through Gilbert and Ivan, so to see it finally give way really hit me. I knew then how serious it was.” The writer, director, and star of the critically acclaimed BBC comedy Dreaming Whilst Black was born in South London but raised in Jamaica from the age of five to twenty-three, experiencing several major hurricanes during that time. He recalls the noise, the chaos, and the remarkable sense of togetherness that always followed. But this time felt different. “At first, I thought the press were scaremongering,” he admits. “But when the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, said no building in the entire region could withstand the storm, I realised this wasn’t like anything we’d experienced before.” Stuck at home in London, he found himself glued to his laptop, watching the storm intensify on Zoom Earth, a meteorological website that tracks global weather systems. “You grow up knowing hurricanes are part of Caribbean life, but this, this was on another level, especially when the winds hit 250mph.” Despite the chaos, his mum’s Wi-Fi miraculously held out for most of the hurricane. “She sent me pictures of the house, and it was heartbreaking. Eventually she chose to stay with her friend because of the damage to the house. I wanted to fly home immediately, but the airport in Montego Bay was flooded and shut down. I just felt helpless.” It’s not a feeling he’s used to. For Adjani, 36, being on the ground and helping has always been instinctive. “As a kid, when the roof blew off my school, we got two weeks off. I remember everyone scrambling for bottled water and tinned food, but there was always this community spirit, people looking out for each other,” he says. “When I was about 22, a friend and I jumped in a pickup truck to deliver supplies to older relatives and neighbours. That’s what Jamaica is about, that sense of togetherness.” After seeing the devastation from Hurricane Melissa, Adjani was determined to act. “I’ve sent money and donated what I can, but I needed to do something physical. The least I could do was help,” he says. “I went down to JN Bank in Brixton to volunteer. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by everyone who just wanted to help in their own little way and feeling that energy. It reminded me why community matters.” Volunteers – including community activist Lee Jasper, DJ & model YNG CPTN and reggae legend Luciano – turned up in their droves to pack essential supplies generously donated by the public all bound for the next shipment to Jamaica. JN Bank UK – the first Caribbean bank to launch in the UK five years ago – have partnered with local charity Food for the Poor Jamaica, to ensure that vital supplies reach the worst-affected communities and survivors. The atmosphere at the volunteer hub at JN’s flagship Brixton branch was emotional, but uplifting. “Then Luciano stopped by and did a singalong,” Adjani says, smiling. “It was completely unexpected, but it lifted everyone’s spirits. That’s Jamaica for you. Even in the hardest moments, there’s music, there’s love, there’s hope.” Though most of his family remain in Kingston, the experience has strengthened Adjani’s resolve to return as soon as he can to help rebuild. “Jamaica is a cultural heartbeat,” he says. “If you truly love Jamaican culture, now’s the time to show it, whether that’s through volunteering or donating. “Hurricanes have always been a part of our lives,” he adds. “But Melissa is different. It’s terrifying, yet it reminded me that Jamaicans are resilient. As we say in Jamaica “We likkle but we tallawah!” For more information on how to support relief efforts or volunteer, visit www.isupportjamaica.com . Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
