After the Storm: Helping Jamaica Heal After Hurricane Melissa
This one hit close to home.
When Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica, she didn’t just bring wind and rain — she left heartbreak behind. Towns on the west side of the island, especially St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover, took the hardest blows. Farms washed away. Roofs disappeared. Families were left standing in the mud, wondering what to do next.
Here in Ocho Rios, we felt the weight too — not from flooding, but from knowing our neighbors were suffering. At Polka Dot Boutique, Jamaica isn’t just where we do business — it’s our heart, our comfort, our community. And when one side of the island hurts, the whole island feels it.
The Areas Most Affected
St. Elizabeth (Black River & surrounding) — hit hardest with flooded homes and farms.
Westmoreland (Bluefields, Belmont) — coastal towns battered by storm surge.
Hanover & St. James — power loss and road blockages across several communities.
These parishes are rebuilding from the ground up. They need more than sympathy — they need hands, hearts, and steady help.
Donate or Drop Off Supplies
If you’re nearby, we’re helping collect emergency items that will go directly to families on the west side.
Here’s what’s needed most:
Bottled water & purification tablets
Non-perishable food (tinned goods, formula, snacks)
Hygiene items — soap, sanitary pads, diapers, toothpaste
Cleaning supplies & gloves
Blankets, tarps, ropes, flashlights, batteries
First-aid kits & over-the-counter medicines
If you’d like to donate, you can drop off supplies at local drives or send them through trusted partners like:
Jamaica Red Cross – island-wide relief efforts
Food For The Poor Jamaica – warehouses in Montego Bay and Black River
SupportJamaica.gov.jm – the government’s official donation and volunteer hub
Prefer to Give Money?
Cash donations help responders get exactly what’s needed, right where it’s needed. Verified donation links from the Jamaica Red Cross and Support Jamaica site are the safest way to give.
Volunteer
If you’re in Jamaica and can lend a hand:
Jamaica Red Cross – register online to join community clean-ups and shelter support.
Food For The Poor – volunteers needed to sort and distribute supplies.
Local parish offices – reach out through your local disaster coordinator to help clear roads, cook meals, or deliver essentials.
If You’re in Need
For those affected, help is available:
SupportJamaica.gov.jm – find shelters and assistance near you.
ODPEM – call (876) 906-9674 or 888-225-5637 for emergency guidance.
Black River Relief Site – distributing food, water, and medical aid to surrounding communities.
A Note from Us at Polka Dot Boutique
Our motto has always been “Comfort is our love language.”
Today, that means more than soft fabrics or breezy dresses — it means showing comfort to those who’ve lost theirs.
If you’re reading this from abroad, your support still reaches home — through donations, sharing resources, or even sending a prayer for strength and recovery.
Jamaica will rebuild. We always do — with love, grit, and community.
Let’s keep that comfort moving.
