CENTENNIAL, Colo. — It's been an anxious time for the owner of Reggae Pot Jamaican Grill in Centennial after Hurricane Beryl battered parts of Jamaica Wednesday night.
According to Jamaican officials, multiple people were killed by the hurricane. The island nation avoided a direct hit, but the hurricane still caused widespread damage to the capital city of Kingston. Roads were flooded and trees, signs and power lines were damaged.
The hurricane cut off most communication to the country.
Tamara Nisbeth, owner of Reggae Pot, was born in Jamaica. She isn't sure if her family is OK.
“My parents are still home,” Nisbeth said. “I have my brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, a wide range of family members down in Jamaica still.”
While thousands of miles away in Colorado, she talks to them frequently, but not Thursday.
“I am hopeful that all my family members are doing fine,” Nisbeth said.
Hurricane Beryl ripped by the island Wednesday as a Category 4 storm.
“We are unable to communicate right now because the internet and electricity is down in Jamaica,” Nisbeth said. “So no one is able to reach me all day, and I haven't been able to reach anyone.”
It brings back memories of another devastating storm. Hurricane Gilbert slammed the island in 1988 when Tamara was 8 years old.
“My house was crashed,” Nisbeth said. “We lost our home. My neighbors lost their home.”
Until she can talk to her loved ones, Nisbeth will keep cooking, and hoping her home will return to the way she remembers it.
“Soon tourists will be able to visit, and everyone will be able to have fun, and we’ll be back to normal soon,” Nisbeth said.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS