Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica Catastrophic Flooding Relief Mobilizes Regionally

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 storm and is set to make a historic direct landfall in Jamaica, bringing catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread damage. The Cayman Islands and local churches have mobilized to support relief efforts, emphasizing cash donations to efficiently aid recovery, while organizations like the Red Cross and Charleston Water Mission are already deploying aid and supplies to affected areas. Thousands of Jamaicans living abroad, such as migrant workers in Connecticut, are anxiously monitoring the storm and supporting their families from afar. Jamaican authorities, including the Department of Correctional Services, have activated emergency protocols to protect inmates and staff during the hurricane. The storm has already caused fatalities in neighboring Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica could receive up to 40 inches of rain, complicating cleanup and recovery operations. Relief groups on the ground are coordinating with national agencies to provide urgent assistance as the island braces for what could be its most powerful hurricane on record.