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For one night next month, Long Island will be at the center of a global effort to help Jamaica rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
On Dec. 12, UBS Arena in Elmont will host “Jamaica Strong,” a benefit concert led by international music superstars Shaggy and Sean Paul. The show aims to bring the sounds and spirit of the Caribbean to Long Island while raising money for ongoing recovery efforts.
“This is more than a concert – it’s a movement,” organizer George Crooks said in a statement. “Every ticket purchased directly supports rebuilding lives, homes, and hope in Jamaica.”
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica in late October, killing more than 40 people and leaving widespread destruction. Homes were flattened, farms flooded, and families displaced. The International Federation of the Red Cross estimated that up to 1.5 million people were expected to be directly affected.
More than half a million residents lost power, and hospitals and housing sustained significant damage. Meteorologists at AccuWeather said Melissa ranked as the third most intense hurricane observed in the Caribbean, behind Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988 — the last major storm to make landfall in Jamaica.
Next month’s fundraiser features an all-star lineup of Caribbean talent, including Tessanne Chin, Ky-Mani Marley, and KES the Band, alongside Shaggy and Sean Paul.
Proceeds will support Jamaica’s official Hurricane Relief Fund and Shaggy’s Make a Difference Foundation. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Top: Cars pass UBS Arena before an NCAA basetball game between St. John’s and Connecticut Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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