Pray for Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa Brings Destruction
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 28, as a deadly Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph. After several hours of catastrophic gusts and torrential rain, the storm cleared the island nation leaving serious damage in its wake. Melissa is the most powerful hurricane ever recorded to hit Jamaica.
News reports indicate there is extensive destruction, especially at the southwest corner of the island. Widespread flash flooding and landslides may still occur. Thousands are in emergency shelters, and hundreds of thousands are without power.
Samaritan’s Purse already has disaster relief specialists, emergency items, and multiple planes on standby to respond quickly. Our response team is preparing to airlift community water systems, shelter materials, and other supplies. We are in regular communication with church partners and appropriate officials on the ground in Jamaica.
We have been loading cargo planes with shelter tarp, solar lights, medical supplies, water filtration systems, and more to get to Jamaica as soon as an airport is accessible.
Along with essential supplies, we are ready to send key Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members to assess the situation and coordinate our response on the ground.
Melissa is now a Category 3 storm. It has cleared Cuba and is headed for the Bahamas.
Please be in prayer for all those in the path of this major storm—the strongest on the planet this year.
Support Caribbean Hurricane Relief
£20 can provide essential items for a hygiene kit, restoring dignity to people in crisis and reminding them that the Lord has not forgotten them.
£60 can supply water filtration systems to affected communities—meeting a desperate need after widespread devastation.
£150 can help transport and equip an Emergency Field Hospital—bringing healing to the wounded in Jesus’ Name.
