NEW ORLEANS — As the sounds of hurricane preps fill Jamaica, the sounds of reggae and the spirit of community will come together in New Orleans, with a purpose.

“This was going to be the 8th year of New Orleans Reggae Fest, but unfortunately, with the inclement weather, we had to pivot and reschedule to November 14th and 15th,” said Reggae Fest organizer Joel Hitchcock.

The cancellation over the weekend gave festival organizer Hitchcock an idea. The pivot comes as historic Hurricane Melissa bears down on the Caribbean Island nation.

“We had a lot of artists who are Jamaican who could not come to New Orleans for the Reggae Fest because their flights were delayed and cancelled,” said Hitchcock.

Forecasters say Hurricane Melissa could bring dangerous winds, flooding rain, and storm surge.

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