SAVANNAH, Ga. – SallyAnne Gray, originally from Jamaica, finds herself in constant prayer for her family back home as Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a formidable category five storm.

The moment Gray heard those daunting words, “category five,” memories flooded back of her own experiences with harsh weather in Jamaica. She recalls being a child when Hurricane Gilbert, then a category three, ravaged her family’s home, leaving it roofless.

After speaking with her family on Monday, Gray’s anxiety has only grown with the storm’s escalation. Her concerns now extend to her friends, family, and the wider community in Jamaica.

With all airports closed since Monday, no one can leave the island, and Gray’s primary hope is that the people of Jamaica heed the warnings from their leaders and officials.

“It’s crucial that we follow guidance from government officials and the Jamaica Meteorological Service,” Gray emphasized, “Our priority should be saving lives; material things can be dealt with later.”

Gray and her husband were recently appointed to the Caribbean Task Force by Mayor Van Johnson. Together, she hopes and plans to use her resources to help as much as she can. 

“There’s a saying in Jamaica that will recall, ‘We Likkle But Wi Tallawah,’ but what that means in English is that we’re small, but we’re mighty, and I just continue to be reminded, like Savannah, that Jamaica is resilient,” said Gray. 

Hurricane Melissa is predicted to make landfall early Tuesday morning.

Gray urges people in Savannah to begin setting aside toiletries, food, water and clothing to ship to Jamaica as soon as it’s safe to do so.