“I thank God everyone’s safe but the devastation this has caused is heartbreaking.”

Angela Cope’s family live in the Westmoreland Parish of Jamaica and the Walsall Healthcare worker only found out last night that her 94-year-old dad Royland and their relatives were alive after Hurricane Melissa tore through the country.

“There’s no power, no internet, and seeing all those terrible images on TV and not being able to speak to my family has been the worst thing,” she said.

“When I managed to speak to my cousin Conroy last night and he told me dad was OK I’ve never felt such relief, but while my dad is a strong man this disaster will have a significant impact on him. People need food, they have no water, whole communities have suffered.

“Conroy and his wife are my dad’s carers and I have so many wider Cope family members out there.”

Angela, who works as EDI and Staff Networks Manager, said: “Before the hurricane came my family did all they could to secure things, and they live in a brick-built house rather than a slatted one, but they’ve still had their homes and cars damaged. And my auntie’s house that we all spent our childhoods in has gone, so many memories were wrapped up in that house. It was so special to us.

“I was out there in August and September this year and I’ve seen some familiar sights on the news that have now changed forever. I know many colleagues across Walsall and the wider, national NHS family, are from Jamaica and I send them all my love. I hope communities will support the relief funds that have been set up to help the island rebuild.”

Claudette Wright, a Health Records Clerk with Walsall Healthcare, only heard her family was safe at 2am today. They live in Manchester Parish, Mandeville and St Thomas Parish.

Mum of one Claudette, who has worked for the Trust for 14 years, said: “With there being no internet I had no idea if they were OK and that was the hardest thing to go through. They were using people’s generators and are just trying to do their best in an unimaginable situation.

“The relief is overwhelming, but my heart goes out to everyone now left to rebuild as well as communities in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic where the hurricane has also affected.

“I think other communities all over the world will show compassion for those who have lost everything, and I hope relief efforts are able to get through soon to help people.”

To donate, please visit the British Red Cross or Support Jamaica websites