The parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, mainstays of Jamaica’s south coast identity, are now grappling with the brutal aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.The scale of the infrastructural and emotional damage is extensive, particularly within the small business sector, where two key food destinations—Nolas Event and the legendary Border roadside stalls—have been fundamentally decimated.
Watch the FULL video on these places at the end of the article
The full scope of the storm’s wrath across the island is still being tabulated. For details on the overall disaster and relief efforts, readers can consult our report on Hurricane Melissa’s wrath on Jamaica.
Hurricane Relief Items
A Modern Structure Reduced to a Shell
Nolas Event, a relatively recent addition to the parish’s dining landscape, offered a diverse array of dining concepts under one roof. Situated strategically at a busy junction in Luana, it served as a magnet for road-trippers and local residents. Prior to the hurricane, the complex was celebrated for Bringing Something New to St. Elizabeth.
The complex featured the air-conditioned Nola’s Lounge, the quick-service Jades Jerk, and Ella’s Ice Cream Place. Post-Melissa, that multi-faceted operation has been reduced to rubble. The main structure is a mere skeleton; all surrounding glass paneling has been shattered, the roof is gone, and the interior, including chairs and tables, is completely destroyed. The property is devastated beyond recognition, signaling a profound economic loss for its operators and employees.
Border’s Vendors
Further west, the renowned food stop at Border (also known as Scott’s Cove), which marks the St. Elizabeth/Westmoreland boundary, has also been leveled. This stretch of road has long been a fixture for travelers since the late 1980s, where vendors operate in a rapid, organised manner, offering fresh fry fish and bammy.
Hurricane Melissa flattened the popular roadside eatery, demolishing all vendor stalls. However, the tragedy has been met with immediate, determined action. According to a report by the Jamaica Observer, a handful of vendors have quickly shown resilience, working to resume their livelihood.
Vendor Ivylyn Hutchinson, or Miss Ivy, whose house in Fustic Grove was also destroyed, was back out making a start. “It is very important right now, because we need to make a start on our own; we can’t just depend on the Government,” she said. Rylan Hutchinson, her brother, highlighted the immediate, desperate need for basic necessities, saying, “We don’t have no water.”
The determination of these entrepreneurs—whose warmth and friendliness are known to both locals and visitors (including Michelle and Lyn at Border)—demonstrates the sheer willpower necessary for recovery. Visitors, such as Physlliseta Falconer from overseas, have recognized this need, stating she was willing to pay double for items just to support their effort.
The Long Road to Recovery
The damage extends far beyond these two landmark food spots. Across St. Elizabeth, infrastructure is compromised. The loss of electricity and access to potable water remains a critical issue for numerous communities.
The road to recovery will be arduous, requiring sustained focus on rebuilding residential homes and restoring key infrastructure. Past efforts to recover critical roadways and landmarks, such as after the damage to Holland Bamboo, suggest that external and local coordination will be essential.
The immediate future for the business owners in St. Elizabeth hinges on both community support and institutional aid. To find out how you can contribute to the relief efforts across the island, visit supportjamaica.gov.jm.
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