‘My soul went out of my body’ - Hanover residents recall Hurricane trauma

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Hanover are sharing profound stories of heartbreaking loss, survival and resilience.

Hanover resident, Tyrese McGregor, who described the experience as "traumatic", recounted how the storm, which made landfall in Jamaica last Tuesday ripped through his home.

"Hurricane Melissa was so bad... it damaged us. The roof of my home was lifted away, the zinc was flying overhead. I was trembling and it was like my soul went out of my body. I had to run up to my friend for shelter," he shared.

Another resident, Lacy Daley, echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude that her family survived.

She recounted that with her five children, nephew, mother, stepfather, and sister inside their home, she made the critical decision to seek refuge at a neighbour's house with concrete walls. Moments later, the roofs of both her home and her mother's were torn away.

"We lost everything, bed, clothes, TV. Now I have to be sleeping at a friend's house with my kids. So we are staying there [for now], but I don't know what's next," Daley stated.

Amid the widespread devastation, some residents have taken matters into their own hands.

Shayne Trevers, a tour guide with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, borrowed a company chainsaw to remove a fallen tree that was blocking the main roadway in Sandy Bay.

He explained that he and several other young people from the area took it upon themselves to clear debris and improve road safety for motorists.