Copyright irishmirror
As Hurricane Melissa closes in on Jamaica, an Irish family who made the island their home a decade ago are ‘anxious and fearful’ as they prepare for what could be one of the most destructive storms there in decades. Dubliners Orlagh Kilbride (45), her husband Neil O’Hanlon (50) and two of their three sons Max (16) and Blake (12), are currently living in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica on the southeastern coast of the island. Their eldest son Evan (20) is currently in Ireland at college. Her fear is twofold - for her family’s safety and for their new home in Treasure Beach, which now sits directly in the path of the storm’s eyewall. “We’ve been in Jamaica nearly ten years. We came over for my husband’s work with our three sons, and it’s home now,” Orlagh told Irish Mirror from her home in Kingston on Tuesday. “But right now, it’s frightening. The eyewall is closing in on Treasure Beach, and it’s expected to make landfall very soon.” Orlagh said on Tuesday evening, Irish time, winds were already picking up , while video footage from Treasure Beach shows rising surf and debris flying through the streets. “It’s looking pretty awful down there at the moment,” she said. “We’ve boarded up the new house, but we’re preparing for damage. And we won’t know how much damage will be caused until possibly Friday.” Last year Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm skirted the island’s south coast without ever making landfall, yet still left widespread destruction. READ MORE: Jamaica braces for most powerful storm of the year as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall “To have another hurricane hit the exact same area just sixteen months later is pretty unprecedented,” Orla explained. “The last major hurricane to strike Jamaica was over twenty years ago. None of us were really expecting this, especially so late in the hurricane season.” “The official hurricane season in the Caribbean ends in just over a week and Melissa is moving so slowly, which means it’s getting stronger,” she said. Already, more than 50,000 Jamaicans are without electricity, and authorities warn that high winds and torrential rain could leave large portions of the island impassable. “We’re already on backup power at our house,” Orlagh said. “It’s a scary time for everyone. There are so many people living in wooden structures — poor communities that just can’t withstand a direct hit like this.” Like many residents, her family has been preparing for days. “We’ve stocked up on water, filled the baths in case we lose running water, and bought non-perishables, torches, and candles,” she explained. “You can hear chainsaws all over Kingston.. People cutting back trees to prevent them from falling. And the gullies, the big storm drains, have been cleared. The one behind our house will be a river by this evening.” Despite the anxiety, Orlagh says her family is ready. “Our house is newer, hurricane-proof, and we have a safe room if the windows become compromised. “The kids are used to this life now. They’ve grown up here. But it’s still stressful. “Our eldest son is in Ireland at college, and he’s very worried. It’s hard for him, being so far away.” Orlagh hopes to travel to Treasure Beach later in the week, once the storm passes and roads reopen, to check on their new home. “As long as the roads are clear, I’ll head down Friday to see what’s left and what the damage is like. We’re anxious and fearful,” she said. “Not just for ourselves, but for those who don’t have the resources to protect their homes. We’re hoping Jamaica can bounce back from this. But honestly, none of us were expecting this, not so close to the end of hurricane season.” Orlagh said there are several Irish families living in Jamaica and they are all in touch. “We have our consulate too so all good on that side of things.” Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here .
