Chicago couple in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa provides clean water in storm aftermath

As Jeff and Lila Funderburg rode out Hurricane Melissa in their Jamaican villa, whipping wind and pouring rain outside was accompanied by desperate pleas for mercy.

“The kids were screaming. That was heartbreaking,” Lila Funderburg said. “That was the hardest thing. It was just echoing, echoing. And then you could hear the people, ‘Mercy, God, mercy, God, mercy. Give us mercy,’ just echoing as the wind pushes these voices through. And it was nonstop.”

The Funderburgs, who split their time between hard-hit St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica, and Streeterville in Chicago, made it through last month’s Category 5 storm physically safe but emotionally scarred.

“I have a lot of appreciation for Mother Nature, but to see what she left behind, it's like, ‘Wow, this was major,” Lila Funderburg said. “We're thankful to be here.”

But the storm, which was one of the most powerful hurricanes on record in the Atlantic, also made the work they were already doing that much more important. The couple launched sustainability consulting company CRE Cycle in 2021, and they have been working to implement a hurricane-proof water generator to bring clean drinking water to a part of Jamaica that struggles to get it.

The atmospheric water generator, which is built to withstand up to Category 4 hurricanes, was installed in Accompong in central Jamaica shortly before Hurricane Melissa hit. The storm was too strong for the generator and knocked over containers with 20,000 pounds of water, Jeff Funderburg said. The containers were knocked over, but the function of the generator remained intact, so after turning the containers right side up, clean water was available again.

Other water mains were likely damaged or contaminated after the storm, and the generator brought water clean enough to drink closer to where people lived. Without it, they would have had to walk a long way to a water spring.

The Funderburgs first visited Jamaica years ago on a family vacation. Their three kids liked it so much they wanted to come back year after year. They look fondly on memories at the beach, interacting with locals and learning about Jamaican food, music and culture. After their son Ahmad died at age 11, they spread his ashes on a Jamaican beach, solidifying their bond to the country.

Ahmad was drawn to Jamaican music, and the family would often bring guitars and other instruments with them on vacation.

“It's a very musical country,” Lila Funderburg said. “You land, you hear and feel the vibration, the music, the sound of the island. Now that sound we don't hear so much today, because we’re in a disaster zone.”

In a Zoom interview with the Chicago Sun-Times from their villa in Jamaica, the Funderburgs said they know they have a long road to recovery ahead. But over the several years they’ve gotten to know Jamaica, they said they have no doubt the people will be resilient and tough. In fact, they’ve seen it before.

Hurricane Beryl battered Jamaica last year, leaving the island to pick up the pieces. Some areas were without power for several weeks.

“We were really in shock at the devastation,” Jeff Funderburg said. “It went from this beautiful, green, luscious, peaceful environment to something that, frankly, looked apocalyptic. It was devastated.”

So when news of Hurricane Melissa came, the Funderburgs knew they had to be prepared, and they knew water and power were going to be in limited supply. The water generator, which also provides power for charging devices, became indispensable in the days after the storm swept through.

“We want to bring hope back,” Lila Funderburg said. “Bring hope and help to rebuild so they come out stronger when the next hurricane hits, because it will hit again.”

The Funderburgs are taking donations for hurricane relief and looking for people to get involved to help.