TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Saturday he ordered the successful evacuation of 28 Florida residents from Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Saturday he ordered the successful evacuation of 28 Florida residents from Jamaica
The Florida Division of Emergency Management began evacuation efforts on Friday, working with local officials to ensure the safe return of Floridians
The evacuations were needed after Hurricane Melissa struck the island
According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, the Florida Division of Emergency Management began evacuation efforts on Friday, working with local officials to ensure the safe return of Floridians.
The rescue flight carrying the 28 stranded Floridians landed at Tampa International Airport on Saturday.
“Throughout my time as governor, Florida has rescued our residents from warzones and in the wake of natural disasters,” DeSantis said. “Today’s operation in Jamaica brings stranded Floridians home in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. I am grateful for the efforts of our emergency management officials and partners who worked to make this happen.”
Hurricane Melissa quickly became a powerful Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean Sea. It was one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record when it made landfall in Jamaica.
On Thursday, I learned of Florida residents who were stranded in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm. At my direction, @FLSERT and other state officials immediately went to work on a plan to get them home.
I am happy to report that just now, a rescue…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 1, 2025
Melissa formed on Tuesday, Oct. 21, becoming the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
DeSantis’ office noted that this is the third time that FDEM has assisted in bringing Floridians home from crises abroad, including an effort to rescue Floridians from Haiti in 2024, and from Israel in 2023 and 2025.
“This rapid response reflects the strength of Florida’s emergency management system and our commitment to providing timely, coordinated support,” said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ decisive leadership and our team’s swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely.”