Storm in Jamaica left family without water or power

The family of a Swindon trader have had their home destroyed in Hurricane Melissa

A food truck owner said his family in Spanish Town, Jamaica, have lost everything after Hurricane Melissa and the area around their home has been "flattened".

Lucius Leyvan, from Swindon, was able to contact his family after a week and a half and said he was relieved that they were safe, but he said they still do not have electricity or access to water.

Mr Leyvan said he will send food packages to the community where his family lives.

"My mum said even to go to the shop, to get a bread, it's really hard. The shops don't have any flour or sugar. It was touching for me to hear her speaking like that and she burst into tears," Mr Leyvan said.

The hurricane made landfall on 28 October as a category five storm in Jamaica, where people remain stuck on roofs and without power and 28 people were confirmed dead.

Mr Leyvan said that when he first spoke to his mum, it was "a good feeling" and he felt relieved that his family and friends are well.

Mr Leyvan said his family is slowly starting to rebuild

"It was a big release for me," Mr Leyvan said.

"We shared a few words about what's happening in Jamaica. They're saying that there is still no electricity, there's no water in the community where they are.

"They showed me a few pictures of the farm destroyed, the crops, and there's no access to food."

He added that the community has already started building things back up.

"They want life to go back to normal. But also they know that it will not happen so easily. This will take time." Mr Leyvan added.

"There's so much going in Jamaica we don't even know about."