👥 Who: Governor Ron DeSantis, FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, 28 Floridians evacuated from Jamaica
🌪️ What: Evacuation of Floridians following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa
📅 When: October 31, 2025 (evacuation began), with evacuees arriving November 3, 2025
📍 Where: Jamaica (departure), Tampa International Airport, Florida (arrival)
🎯 Why: To safely bring Floridians home following the destructive impacts of Hurricane Melissa
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced today the safe evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck the island on October 28, 2025. The evacuation was carried out under the direction of the Governor and coordinated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). The rescue flight departed Jamaica earlier today and landed at Tampa International Airport, where evacuees were greeted by state officials.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes on record in the Atlantic Basin and the strongest ever recorded to strike Jamaica. The storm caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services across the island, leaving many residents in need of assistance.
Coordinated Response and Leadership
Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s history of assisting residents during international crises and natural disasters. “Throughout my time as governor, Florida has rescued our residents from warzones and in the wake of natural disasters,” he said. “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.”
FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie emphasized the speed and coordination of the evacuation effort. “This rapid response reflects the strength of Florida’s emergency management system and our commitment to providing timely, coordinated support,” Guthrie said. “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ decisive leadership and our team’s swift action, we were able to help Floridians return home safely.”
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins was on hand at Tampa International Airport to welcome evacuees. “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,” Collins said. “Today, I was on the ground to ensure these families received the care and support they needed. Our state’s strength is found in our people, and today that strength is on full display.”
Past Evacuations and Experience
This operation marks the third time FDEM has coordinated the evacuation of Floridians from international crises under Governor DeSantis’ leadership. Previous missions included evacuations from Haiti in 2024 and from Israel in both 2023 and 2025. Each operation reflects Florida’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents abroad during emergencies.
Safety and Preparedness Resources
The Florida Division of Emergency Management encourages residents to remain prepared for natural disasters by visiting FloridaDisaster.org for safety tips, resources, and alerts. FDEM maintains active communication with the public through social media channels including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to provide timely updates during emergencies.
The successful evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica demonstrates Florida’s capacity to respond to both domestic and international crises, highlighting the coordination between state leadership, emergency management personnel, and international partners to ensure the safety of residents in critical situations.
For more information: Contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management at (850) 815-4000 or visit https://www.floridadisaster.org.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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