READING, Pa. – Inside Naked Chop Eateries in Reading, the kitchen is busy and the smell of Jamaican food fills the space. But concern is growing.
“Hurricane is here, Richard. It has landed. We’re having a lot of rain. The light has been disconnected island-wide and also the internet,” said a voicemail from Richard King’s sister, Carmelita, back in Jamaica.
Even though Richard is here, cooking and serving, his heart is with his family.
“Since this morning, everybody was making sure their phones were charged and stuff like that,” he said. “They’re literally just sitting there waiting for it to happen, and hopefully, happen quickly.”
Customers are asking questions. Friends are checking in. Hurricane Melissa is the strongest storm to strike Jamaica in years, and King is watching closely.
“It’s traveling so slow and raining so much,” he explained. “If it crosses the country at that speed, there’s going to be a lot of flooding. So that’s the main concern now.”
Still, Richard says it’s in moments like these that Jamaicans show the world their strength and their spirit.
“It’s going to be amidst the tragedy,” he said. “We normally find ways to find jovial things to say about events, so don’t worry about us. Just pray for us.”