Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, tied with Hurricane Dorian in 2019 for the strongest storm to make landfall in the history on a Caribbean island, ravaged portions of Jamaica Tuesday, most especially Westmoreland Parish, St. Elizabeth Parish, which includes Crawford, New Hope (where the NHC said Melissa made official landfall) and Savanna la Mar, and St. James Parish, which includes Montego Bay (Sangster International Airport has sustained major damage). All of the island, including Kingston, is experiencing severe flooding after receiving 12 to 24 inches of rain.
Local officials have already answered the call for help. Kissimmee Vice Mayor Angela Eady and Jamaican community leaders in Central Florida will host an emergency donation drive and community meeting to coordinate support for Jamaica. Alianza Center is joining these efforts to help mobilize resources, community partners, and long-term support.
They will gather Wednesday at Solid Rock Church (1904 Michigan Avenue) to collect supplies that will be urgently and immediately needed, like temporary building supplies like tarps, bungee cords and ropes, perishable food and children's supplies like diapers and wipes.
"If we were to have gotten hit by a storm like this, what would we need?" Eady said. "If you remember when we got hit by Hurricane Charley and many needs weren't available, what would you need the next few days to survive?"
The initiative aims to bring together local leaders, organizations, and residents to collect essential items, identify immediate needs, and develop a recovery strategy for families and communities in Jamaica.
