A CLONAKILTY woman is raising funds to support relief efforts in Jamaica after the recent hurricane left countless communities devastated.

Céline O’Donnell (42) saw her family impacted in the storm and decided to help, already raising more than €3,000.

Her husband Shawn McLean (40) works as a tiler on the Carribean island and was with family in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, when the hurricane hit.

Céline was anxious as communication was limited due to power and phone outages.

She eventually got word that her immediate family were safe and staying with her brother-in-law.

She has since spoken to her husband who is trying to organise essentials like drinking water, food and electricity generators for family and neighbours.

Céline, who is hoping the money raised will help her family rebuild, said: ‘There was a long wait to hear if everybody was okay. We did a video call and it was a relief to see them all safe. Shawn also has family in St Elizabeth, which is a town that was struck really hard by the hurricane.

‘We still haven’t heard from family there, which is a worry. With the fundraising I feel like I’m doing something. I was feeling helpless being here in Ireland.’

Homes and infrastructure were completely destroyed by the category 5 storm which struck large parts of the west of the Carribean’s third-largest island on October 28th, moving on to Cuba and Haiti.

Hurricane Melissa ripped the roofs off 120,000 structures, affecting some 90,000 families and taking the lives of at least 32 people in Jamaica.

Céline received photos of homes without rooves, water-damaged interiors and debris.

Her mother-in-law’s home suffered severe damage, with the roof over the kitchen, living room, and bedroom completely torn off, and the entire house flooded in six feet of water.

Céline said: ‘My sister-in-law’s house was completely demolished by the strong winds and rain, everything was damaged.

My nephew’s home lost its roof, and the heavy rains filled the house with water, destroying everything inside.’

The effect of the hurricane saw Shawn with water up to his shoulders at one point. He filled a fridge with important belongings, including important documents and  clothes, to keep things dry.

Celine mentioned the moment he used the fridge as a float to hold on to as he brought his mother, who held onto his shoulders, through the water to safety.

Céline and Shawn, who married in Jamaica last October, are hoping to be reunited soon, possibly for Christmas.

In order to help with relief efforts and help the community rebuild, Céline set up a fundraising page for urgent needs, such as food, clean water, clothing, toiletries, cooking gas, furniture, kitchen appliances, temporary shelter and other essentials.

She said she was overwhelmed by her family’s attitude despite being faced with so much loss, still finding moments of laughter and jokes.

She wrote: ‘Because at the end of the day, we still have each other. The relief of being able to talk to one another alone was beyond words.’

To donate to the rebuild efforts, visit https://gofund.me/27a33be2f