Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwest Jamaica this week near the coastal town of Black River, which the government has described as “ground zero.”

Dozens of U.S. military personnel are bringing medical supplies and emergency gear after Hurricane Melissa killed at least 19 on Jamaica.

Emergency water systems and medical teams deployed to Jamaica following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa with additional Samaritan's Purse relief flights planned.

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 superstorm with sustained winds of 185 mph, bore down on Jamaica, threatening the island's 2.8 million residents with what officials called "catastrophic" damage.

The catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa tore across the island nation on Tuesday, leaving destruction and worry in its wake for many in the U.S. with family members there.

People walk along muddied roads scavenging the wreckage for food. Others jump into damaged stores in the hope of finding bottled water or other supplies.

When the storm grew into Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the couple’s flight home was canceled. Unable to book another flight home, with the main airport closed, they were stranded in the storm’s path. They barricaded their room’s windows with furniture, and took shelter in the bathroom.

Rooms were destroyed, ceilings on the floor, the glass in the room, and like imagine we stayed in our rooms sleeping and glass banged into the room,” said Perez.