Florida successfully evacuates 28 residents from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
Updated: 5:16 PM EDT Nov 1, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the successful evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa caused devastating impacts to the island. The Florida Division of Emergency Management initiated evacuation efforts on Oct. 31, 2025, coordinating with local officials to ensure the safe return of residents.”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.””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 Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decisive leadership and our team’s swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely.””Thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we mobilized quickly to send relief flights and bring our citizens home safely following Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica,” Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins said. “Today, I was on the ground at Tampa International Airport to welcome these families as they arrived and to ensure they received the care and support they needed. Our state’s strength is found in our people, and today that strength is on full display.”Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Oct. 28, 2025, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.It ranks among the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Basin and is the strongest to make landfall in Jamaica, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services.
FLORIDA, USA —
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the successful evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa caused devastating impacts to the island.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management initiated evacuation efforts on Oct. 31, 2025, coordinating with local officials to ensure the safe return of residents.
“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.”
“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 Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decisive leadership and our team’s swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely.”
“Thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we mobilized quickly to send relief flights and bring our citizens home safely following Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica,” Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins said. “Today, I was on the ground at Tampa International Airport to welcome these families as they arrived and to ensure they received the care and support they needed. Our state’s strength is found in our people, and today that strength is on full display.”
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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
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Oct. 28, 2025, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.
It ranks among the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Basin and is the strongest to make landfall in Jamaica, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services.