Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the successful evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following the devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
At DeSantis’ direction, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) began coordinating operations on Friday with local officials. The rescue flight safely landed at Tampa International Airport on Saturday.
“Today’s operation brings stranded Floridians home in the wake of Hurricane Melissa,” DeSantis said, thanking emergency teams for their swift response.
FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie praised the “timely, coordinated response,” while Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins greeted evacuees at the airport, noting that the mission reflected “the strength of our people.”
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, with winds reaching up to 185 mph — the strongest ever recorded on the island.
The United States government has already begun providing aid, with the first three of eight U.S. military helicopters arriving in Jamaica on Friday, October 31, carrying urgently needed relief supplies for communities.
The aircraft, which will be deployed across the island to support ongoing relief efforts, were received by Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, at the Caribbean Military Academy’s School of Aviation in Kingston.
“I want to thank the Government of the United States of America and, of course, the U.S. Embassy here in Jamaica for the coordination,” Minister Vaz said. “We are hoping that by tomorrow the balance will be here—if not, the latest this weekend—and of course, these three will be put to work tomorrow morning in conjunction with the Jamaica Defence Force.”
The helicopters will assist with the distribution of food, water, and other supplies to hard-hit communities in western Jamaica, many of which remain cut off due to severe flooding and road damage. Vaz reassured citizens that the government is working to get assistance to those most in need following the Category 5 storm.
