HARTFORD, Conn. — An owner of a Jamaican restaurant in Hartford is counting her blessings after learning her family in Jamaica is safe.
“Jamaica is a very blessed country and this time they’re blessed,” said Opal Thompson, owner of Pampi’s Jamaican Restaurant in Hartford, where there’s a significant Jamaican population.
Thompson says her parents went down to the St. Catherine area of Jamaica just two weeks before Hurricane Beryl swept through the Caribbean island.
“Pretty much what they expected, it was less severe,” said Thompson.
RELATED: Beryl batters Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula as Texas officials urge coastal residents to prepare
While she’s grateful her own family wasn’t severely impacted by the storm, she pointed out the strength and unity among the Jamaican people in times of turmoil.
“They don’t have electricity; their internet is down, so that’s pretty much it. The people of Jamaica are very resilient. They did come together as neighbors; they work well as neighbors, and I respect and appreciate that. Neighbors help neighbors,” said Thompson.
Another Connecticut resident, who is a Jamaican immigrant that became a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Dunkin park July 4, was also feeling thankful for the safety of his family back home.
“Well, I’ve spoken to only one of them because the system is down, so hopefully by later I will get back in touch. But I don’t think there are any losses of life or anything like that,” said Stephen Carby.
Heavy rain and wind led to more severe damage on other parts of the island. One FOX61 viewer from Bloomfield sent in a video of strong winds taking down a tree in St. Elizabeth, where his family lives. As Beryl is on track to strengthen once again and reach Texas by Sunday, Connecticut officials urge embracing that Jamaican sense of hospitality.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica and the other parts of the Caribbean that have been so hard-hit by this hurricane,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “We should reach out to those people in Jamaica and elsewhere that need our help because they have families there.”
Texas officials are warning against potential heavy rains and flooding and are urging residents to take the proper precautions.
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Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kcollins@fox61.com. Follow her on X, and Instagram.
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