'It's all we have': K-State track coach pleads for help as family struggles to rebuild home after hurricane

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - A Kansas State University Track & Field coach is reaching out to the community for help after the destruction of his family's residence in Jamaica following a devastating hurricane.

Jamaica continues to recover after Hurricane Melissa slammed into the island nation in late October. Scientists have classified Melissa as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall and caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean. The impact of the hurricane is far-reaching, with the impact being felt as far away as Manhattan.

K-State Track & Field Coach Clive Pullen grew up on a 15-acre farm in Jamaica. His parents used all of their cash to send Pullen and his sister to school.

"Both of my parents are agriculturalists, farmers, and it's all we knew growing up," Pullen said. "It's, it was the livelihood of my parents. The farm is all we have, and that's our home. It's all we have."

When Cullen graduated from high school, he received a full-ride track scholarship at the University of Arkansas. He later went on to represent his home country in the Olympics.

"I was a multiple-time NCAA champion, multiple-time SEC champion in the triple jump," Pullen said.

Pullen regularly sends money back to Jamaica to help his family farm. However, the farm and his family's home in Jamaica were destroyed when Hurricane Melissa arrived.

"To see that I'll just be swept away, was just... I don't know if I can be more broken," Pullen said.

Pullen lost contact with his family in the days after the hurricane struck. Several days after the hurricane, he finally managed to contact his loved ones again.

"Not getting any contact with them, I was so stressed trying to be present here," Pullen said. "Showing up for people and not knowing if my parents are alive. I have family right now that I haven't heard from since the hurricane."

While Pullen is grateful that his family has survived the ordeal, he is now asking for help while his parents rebuild in Jamaica. You can help out with the effort by visiting the fundraiser online through GoFundMe.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf