Marina
In a deeply emotional situation, Rueben Goulbourne — owner of Mi Hungry BBQ & Jamaican Cuisine in St. Louis County — is praying for his loved ones in Jamaica as the Caribbean nation reels from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm.
Reports of extensive wind and flood damage in Jamaica have left Goulbourne and his community in St. Louis grappling with concern and urgency as relief efforts begin to form.
Storm Impact & Family Concerns
According to Goulbourne, the hurricane unleashed catastrophic consequences in parts of Jamaica. He noted fast‑moving water levels reaching up to 30 feet, roofs torn off buildings, and widespread flooding.
Goulbourne shared that family members are reporting severe damage, and he is urging the St. Louis community to join in prayer and assistance.
He stated: “We have a lot of roofs going off and it threw a lot of water, about 30 feet of water. It’s just crazy.” Goulbourne also conveyed his deep worry for the safety and welfare of his family and friends who remain stranded or impacted by the storm’s destructive path.
Restaurant Owner and Relief Efforts
Goulbourne’s restaurant, located at 8660 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO, has become a focal point for community concern and potential fundraising.
He intends to organize a fundraiser at Mi Hungry BBQ to channel aid toward Jamaica once the scope of damage is clarified. His message to the community is clear: “I want everybody to pray for these people, please—we’re asking you.”
By leveraging his business and local support network, Goulbourne aims to transform concern into action, connecting the St. Louis‑based Jamaican community with the urgent needs facing loved ones overseas.
Profiles of Loved Ones Impacted
Here’s a table detailing the people Goulbourne is particularly concerned about, including their status and relationship to the restaurant owner:
| Person | Relationship to Goulbourne | Status / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Family & friends | Extended Jamaican family abroad | Reporting extensive wind & flood damage, roofs missing, up to ~30 ft floodwaters |
| Local Jamaican diaspora | Community supported by Goulbourne | Gathering for prayer, relief planning in St. Louis |
| Restaurant staff | Employed at Mi Hungry BBQ | Standing by to assist with fundraising and community outreach |
Why This Matters for the Local and Global Community
- The Jamaican diaspora in St. Louis is emotionally and financially invested in what happens back home. Goulbourne’s initiative illustrates how connected global communities remain, despite geographic distances.
- A Category 5 hurricane like Melissa can cause long‑lasting damage to infrastructure, housing, and livelihoods, meaning the relief needs will likely be large and ongoing.
- The St. Louis restaurant is acting as both a cultural hub and a relief coordination point, showing how local businesses can catalyze community response in crisis.
- The story highlights broader themes: faith, community solidarity, and the intersection of immigration, family ties, and natural disasters.
How You Can Help
- Visit or donate at Mi Hungry BBQ & Jamaican Cuisine in St. Louis to support the planned relief fundraiser.
- Share updates and prayer requests on social media to raise awareness about the situation in Jamaica.
- Contact your local Jamaican‑diaspora associations or church groups to coordinate relief shipments or financial assistance.
- Stay informed about hurricane‑relief channels and make sure any contributions go to verified efforts to avoid fraud.
As Hurricane Melissa unleashes its devastation on Jamaica, the ripples far beyond the Caribbean are deeply felt — as seen in St. Louis, where restaurant owner Rueben Goulbourne monitors updates from family abroad while rallying his community at Mi Hungry BBQ & Jamaican Cuisine.
This story is a testament to how global connection, cultural roots and local business can merge in times of crisis. As relief efforts coalesce and voices join in prayer and support, the hope remains that loved ones will be safe, homes rebuilt and communities strengthened by compassion and solidarity.