Grandma’s Heartbreaking Reaction After Learning Family Home Was Destroyed by Hurricane Melissa

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A Pennsylvania woman’s video capturing her grandmother’s heartbreaking reaction after learning their family home in Jamaica was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa has touched hearts across the internet — shedding light on the storm’s devastating impact on families still struggling to recover.

For Rebecca Morris, 25, the past week has been a nightmare. When she first heard that Hurricane Melissa — a Category 5 storm — was barreling toward Jamaica, she immediately feared for her relatives back home in Manchester Parish, one of the areas hardest hit.

“We were so concerned about our family there,” Morris told People. “Our houses aren’t built for hurricanes, much less one that powerful. We were scared out of our minds.”

‘Everything Was Destroyed — The Houses, the Roofs, Everything’

When the hurricane made landfall on October 28, communication lines across the island went down. For hours, Morris and her family — who now live in Pennsylvania with her grandmother — waited anxiously for updates.

The silence was broken only by a brief video call before power and cell service failed completely.

“They told us everything was destroyed — the houses, the roofs, everything,” Morris recalled. “My grand-uncle, who’s my grandmother’s brother, lost his entire home. It just collapsed.”

When her grandmother heard the news, Morris says she broke down in tears.

“She was crying so hard,” she said. “I had to call more people to help comfort her. I didn’t even plan to film anything — I just pressed record in that moment. I wanted to show what so many families like ours were going through.”

Video Goes Viral — and Brings Hope

Morris later posted the clip to TikTok, not expecting much. Within hours, the emotional footage began to go viral, with thousands of people offering messages of support and prayers for Jamaica.

“I never thought it would reach that many people,” she said. “I was just trying to relate — everyone was posting about the hurricane, and I wanted to show what it really felt like for us.”

The outpouring of kindness inspired her to launch a GoFundMe campaign to help her family rebuild their destroyed homes.

“People kept commenting, saying, ‘Start a GoFundMe,’” Morris explained. “And I realized they were right — we don’t have the resources to help on our own. Everything is gone.”

‘Jamaica Isn’t Just a Place — It’s Home’

For Morris, the loss is deeply personal. Her family travels to Jamaica every year to spend time with loved ones, and their Manchester home — now gone — was the heart of their memories.

“We were just there last Christmas, and again this August,” she said. “We go every year because family is everything to us. None of our relatives are up here — it’s just me, my mom, my siblings, and my grandmother. So we always go down there to be together. Now, it breaks my heart to think of what they’re facing.”

Despite the loss, Morris and her grandmother are holding on to faith.

“It could’ve been so much worse,” she said. “We still have life, we still have health, and we still have strength — and what more can we ask for? A house can be rebuilt. As long as you have God and family, you have everything.”

‘Jamaica Will Be Okay’

Even though the family home filled with photos and memories is gone, Morris says their hope remains unshaken.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “We’ll be okay. Jamaica will be okay.”

She also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from around the world.

“It means so much that people are shedding light on our little island,” she said. “Jamaica is small, but the love, support, and prayers we’ve felt are huge. We appreciate it — truly.”

For those wishing to help, Morris encourages donations to local and international relief efforts assisting families across Jamaica and the Caribbean.

To follow stories of resilience and rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, visit NapervilleLocal.com.