Residents are keeping in touch with loved ones who are hunkering down hundreds of miles away.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There is concern for many in the Tampa Bay area’s Jamaican community with Hurricane Melissa expected to impact the country early Tuesday morning.

Local residents like Delucha Harry Bennett said she’s worried about her family members, including her husband and her mother, who are currently in Jamaica.

“I’m stressed because I feel helpless. I know it’s gonna cost a lot after the devastation. The repairs, family, and friends, they’re gonna reach out. They’re gonna need help,” she said.

Harry Bennett’s family was top of mind as she cashed out customers at Taste of the Islands Marketplace in St. Pete, a grocery store that also offers Caribbean-based goods.

She said she was set to leave for Jamaica Friday but plans may now have to change. Her mother had just left for a family wedding. She said most of her extended family is on the western side of the island in Westmoreland and Montego Bay.

Her loved ones are currently hunkering down. Shutters are prepared for, and extra supplies are in hand.

As of now, Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm, which could make it the deadliest storm to ever hit the nation in recorded history.

Next door at the Taste of the Islands Restaurant, Johnicia Davis said she has not been able to hear from her family members as of now. The power and internet are out.

Davis said news of the hurricane hit hard with many of her family members still living in Jamaica, including her siblings, parents, and grandparents. 

“You wouldn’t want to get a phone call in times like this to hear that, ‘Oh, your grandmother is not with you anymore,'” Davis said. “I just hope that everybody can stay safe and trust in the Lord.”

Harry Bennet said her experiences with Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and seeing the community come together gives her hope that Jamaica can rise again, regardless of the impact. 

She and the marketplace plan to collect donations to help impacted residents. For now, she hopes everybody is able to stay safe.

“I’ve seen how resilient the people are. I just believe that everything happens for a reason, and we’re going to be able to pull through, honestly,” she said.

Tampa-based Caribbean groups are also planning for ways to help by collecting donations and looking for ways to bring relief to affected people.

To help, visit https://bit.ly/HurricaneMelissaRelief or www.cca91.org.Â