LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — The impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica is personal for Samuel Pennant, the mayor of the Town of Dundee in Polk County.

“I have not been able to directly reach out to anyone,” Pennant said.

Pennant is from Jamaica. He still has family and friends on the island.

“I'm not from Kingston or Montego Bay. I'm from the rural areas,” Pennant said.

Pennant knows it will take a while for his home country to recover, especially since farmlands are damaged and tourism will drastically drop. This means it will be hard for the island’s economy to recover as well.

“My anxiety situation will remain high until I'm able to get more information, hopefully better than expected,” Pennant said.

Pennant is asking his Tampa Bay neighbors to help and partner with reputable organiza

See Full Page