Charlotte Woman Awaiting Family Evacuating from U.S. Virgin Islands

CHARLOTTE, NC – In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a Charlotte woman is anxiously waiting for her loved ones to arrive from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“When some neighbors found them the next morning, they were soaking wet, huddled underneath a wet mattress,” says East Charlotte resident Tara Meek.

There’s not much left of the home where her family lives, and where she grew up, on St. Croix.

Meek says her family huddled in a bathroom as the hurricane blew through.

“Not knowing, you know, especially the day after, for awhile what was going on is horrible,” she says.

Now she’s waiting for her loved ones to arrive. She plans to put them up at her home.

But it hasn’t been easy.

Meek’s sister and her three children were able to board a mercy ship, which is expected to land in Florida Tuesday.

Her mother is still waiting for a flight, but the airport on St. Croix remains closed.

“I think we’ve bumped that trip now five times,” she says.

In the meantime, Meek wants to raise awareness of the challenges those who remain face.

She and her kids are collecting stuffed animals and other items to provide to kids and families who could be without electricity and running water for months.

For now, they’re just hoping those in need aren’t forgotten.

Click Here if you’d like to help those in need in the U.S. Virgin Islands