DEM - Florida Division of Emergency Management
11/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/01/2025 14:43
ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Successful Evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa
11/1/2025
ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Successful Evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the successful evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following the devastating impacts of powerful Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. At the Governor's direction, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) began evacuation efforts on October 31, 2025, working closely with local officials to ensure the safe return of Floridians. The rescue flight departed Jamaica earlier today and landed at Tampa International Airport.
"Throughout my time as governor, Florida has rescued our residents from warzones and in the wake of natural disasters," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "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 Governor Ron DeSantis' decisive leadership and our team's swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely."
"Thanks to Governor 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," said Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. "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."
"Throughout my time as governor, Florida has rescued our residents from warzones and in the wake of natural disasters," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "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 Governor Ron DeSantis' decisive leadership and our team's swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely."
"Thanks to Governor 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," said Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. "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 the afternoon of October 28, 2025, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm. With maximum sustained winds reaching 185 mph, Melissa ranks among the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin and is the strongest to make landfall in Jamaica. The storm caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services across the island.
This effort marks the third time that FDEM, under Governor DeSantis' leadership, has assisted in bringing Floridians home from crises abroad. Previous missions include the successful rescue of Floridians from Haiti in 2024 and from Israel in 2023 and 2025.
For safety and preparedness resources, visit FloridaDisaster.org and follow FDEM on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).
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Updated: Saturday, November 1, 2025
DEM - Florida Division of Emergency Management published this content on November 01, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 01, 2025 at 20:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]