Jamaican workers in Michigan face emotional toll as Hurricane Melissa hits island
Everyday, we’re getting updates on the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica.
The Category 5 storm came at a time where many seasonal workers at resorts in northern Michigan usually head back to the island country.
Jamaica is a island that we can work together and get a speedy recovery.
One of the first faces you see when walking through the doors of the Grand Traverse Resort, is Shanikah Clarke.
“I love it. This is what I’ve been doing over the years back in Jamaica. This is like my life doing customer service,” said Clarke.
This is Clarke’s second season working at the guest services desk. She’s from Kingston, Jamaica, so she’s no stranger to tropical storms.
“But this one is the strongest,” said Clarke. “I’ve never experienced this strong of a hurricane in Jamaica, and I was a bit worried for my loved ones and friends back home.”
Clarke’s parents, brother, nephews and aunts were on the island as Hurricane Melissa slowly passed over. Right now, Clarke can only get in touch with her mother.
It’s very devastating.
Some of Clarke’s other Jamaican co-workers, can’t reach anyone. Clarke said now, more than ever, they’re leaning on their work family for support.
“Emotionally, this is very hard on us,” said Clarke. “It’s not much we can do from here to help our family. Yes, we can send money back home to, you know, recover the damages but emotionally, support is what we need right now.”
“We’re not going to let them go and sit in an airport or get stuck in a hotel somewhere, in a connector city. We’re gonna take care of our own as they are our family,” said Liz Ware, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mission Point Resort.
Ware said most of Mackinac Island’s H-2B visa workers are from Jamaica. Many had flights booked to leave the island and return to Jamaica this week.
“We want them here where they can be safe,” said Ware. “They have a bed that they can sleep in. We have our team here, our culinary team is staying later so we can make sure that we have food for them.”
Ware said the workers want to get back to their loved ones in Jamaica as quickly as possible.
“Think about being hundreds of miles away from your friends and family and not being able to do anything,” said Ware. “Seeing images on TV, understanding and having been through horrible storms before and knowing how bad it can get, and being here and feeling completely helpless.”
There’s still a lot of unknowns about what’s needed to best support Jamaicans right now. However, Ware said there’s already plans among Mackinac Island residents to get their Jamaica teams back on their feet.
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@mikebauder3019
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
You Just Want Peasant Labor
@oneilop7156
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Bless
@thesink5723
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
If they're that upset , let them go home and help search , rebuild !!
@Israelite-iq1gd
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Go back home and fix your homeland.
@user-b3o4j
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
They are in Michiganā¦. One of the farthest states away from Jamaica. Slow news day?
@on_purpose90021
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
May The Most High God Creator provide them solace.
@madtrain556
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
All the racists clowns are on this damn.
@michaeldoheny3606
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
They never should've left Jamaica. Go back "as quickly as possible."
@user-Chocolate....
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
šŖš
@chulachula7469
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
š®Those glasses look stupid
@sk1llet82
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
The other comments embarrass me as a michigan local. If you have ever stepped out of america you would realize people in less fortunate countires would have your back and hold you together. You are not my friends and you put a bad taste in the name american.
@Erin-Thor
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Trump is already sending aid, he will be there in person handing them out. šš» šŗšø
@reginalddumas4525
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
ššæ
@Eric-n8e3e
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Sure .now they'll use it as an excuse to stay here . Go home and help your people .
@helenpitts4680
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Wow…Amerikka has bought into media,, that a CERTAIN color or monetary democrat of ppl recieved Government assistant most. Truth is EVERYONE has benefited from The Government . Those who hve multiple homes & property Benefited by manipulating & finagling the system to work in their favor. Yes,, there are many, who receive Government benefits of EVERY COLOR through lies.. I believe they will get theirs too..
@cutepuppy2422
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Why isn't an American working there
@cutepuppy2422
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Dont care get out
@rockycomet4587
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Ice ice baby
@billrodgers3840
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Go home, get free money
@RedflowerPoptree
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Jamaica will takes trillions to rebuild that broken God given jamaica. That's why God clean it out by sea water and ocean rain falling from the skys. To make it a BETTER COUNTRY AND HER PEOPLES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS TO BE A NEW WAY OF DOING THINKS ON THE ISLAND . WAKE UP JAMAICA PEOPLES STAND UP AND CLEAN UP YOUR AREAS NO 1 WILL DO IT FOR YOU. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD TO GET HER READ BEFORE JUNE NEXT YEAR.
@OnlyAusername64
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
You can always go back and see them
@ProJoe-xb5ie
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
Liz really enjoys the cheap labor on Mackinac Island don't you lazy girlš
@TundraBurr
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
You mean Americans…… If they are JAMAICAN….GO HOME YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!
ICE can help !!!! And hopefully will…..
Once you get LEGAL status….YOUR AMERICANS
Learn to assimilate, and sending money that's the property of the USA , "HOME" figure out where HOME IS ….. you Destroy our dollar , by taking out of our circulation….
ANYWAYS MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE VICTIMS OF THE STORM …NEXT TIME A STORM HAPPENS HERE …ILL BE WAITING TO SEE PEOPLE SEND MONEY BACK TO THE US TO HELP….THERE LOVED ONES ….USD please
@DwayneBarrett-to2nm
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
I do appreciate Liz in Michigan
@mudchair16
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 am
ice
Comments are closed.