Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation across the Caribbean, striking Jamaica as the strongest storm in the island’s recorded history. With sustained winds reaching 185 mph and rainfall topping 30 inches in some regions, the Category 5 monster tore through homes, hospitals and shelters, leaving communities in ruin and families desperate for help.
“Power outages have rippled across the nation and communication lines are down,” a Convoy of Hope report noted. Coastal areas have been swallowed by storm surge, and in many parts of the island, the landscape is nearly unrecognizable. Thousands remain in shelters awaiting rescue and relief.
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While Jamaica took the direct hit, the storm’s reach has extended far beyond its shores. In Haiti, hundreds of families sought shelter as torrential rain caused mudslides and flooding. Three deaths have been confirmed there, along with one in the Dominican Republic. Cuba, meanwhile, endured a second strike from Melissa when the storm made landfall again as a Category 3 hurricane, forcing thousands to evacuate as homes and infrastructure collapsed under the pressure of wind and water.
“This is a catastrophic storm and so many people need our help,” said Ethan Forhetz, Convoy of Hope’s spokesperson. “Convoy is committed to delivering hope to Jamaica as quickly as possible.”
Convoy’s disaster services team is already in motion, moving shipments to ports and coordinating with partners to reach the most isolated areas. The organization’s relief model focuses on both immediate aid and sustainable recovery, providing food, clean water and shelter while also planning for long-term rebuilding.
Convoy of Hope has a long history of responding to natural disasters worldwide. In 2024 alone, the organization responded to 99 disasters, including the California wildfires, Central Texas floods, and Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Its teams have maintained recovery efforts for years after other disasters, including a five-year response in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
“We’re ready to help for the long haul,” Forhetz said. “Our goal is to stand with communities not only in the days after disaster strikes but through the years of recovery that follow.”
As relief teams work to deliver supplies and comfort to those in need, the full scope of the disaster is still coming into view. Meteorologists warn that some regions could see up to 40 inches of rain and more than 10 feet of storm surge. The National Hurricane Center has described the situation as one that will cause “extensive infrastructure damage” and cut off entire communities.
For the people of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, the days ahead will test endurance and faith. Convoy of Hope’s ongoing work reminds us that even in the darkest storms, compassion and unity can rise above the wreckage.
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Now more than ever, it’s time to pray for those who have lost loved ones, for the displaced searching for shelter and for the relief workers risking their lives to bring hope in the midst of chaos. May strength, mercy and peace prevail for everyone caught in the path of Hurricane Melissa.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
