Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa has caused extreme devastation across the South-West of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.
The Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas contacted the Methodist Church with the following update.

HURRICANE MELISSA AFTERMATH

Dear People of Faith and Concern,

The MCCA in its entirety watched and prayed for the week of Hurricane Melissa's development and very slow movement as it built up, sending rain over much of our region. This slow build-up has meant that even before it was categorised as a Hurricane, parts of Haiti, the island of Jamaica, and parts of the Dominican Republic had already received very high amounts of rainfall, causing severe flooding in many places.

The category 5 storm, hitting the South-West coast of Jamaica, making landfall on Tuesday and impacting the whole island, has caused extreme devastation. Reports from St. Elizabeth show the historic town of Black River almost annihilated, to the extent that the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Andrew Holness M.P. has called it "Ground Zero." We have still not heard reports from the Parish of Westmoreland. Damage in the parishes of St. James, (including the city of Montego Bay), Hanover, and Trelawny is severe.

We are aware that at least two of our chapels have sustained severe structural damage, two others have lost their roofs, and one has partially lost its roof. However most of the other Congregations we have not yet heard from. Government estimates are that in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland approximately 90% of buildings have lost their roofs. Other parts of Jamaica have sustained damage, though it is not as widespread as in the West.

We are hearing preliminary reports that lives have been lost, and await confirmation whilst praying for the families of those who have died. Please note that a comprehensive report is in progress, but due to damaged and blocked roads, and some areas being impassible due to flooding, this will take some time. We will update you in due course.

Whilst taking a direct path through Jamaica, the outer bands of the storm continued to impact Haiti. The hurricane badly affected Petit-Goâve, Les Cayes, and Jérémie, particularly the rural areas. In Port-au-Prince, it has been raining, and those living under tents have been the most affected by this, especially in Carrefour. Thankfully, there has been no loss of life reported in Port-au-Prince. However, in Petit-Goâve, people have lost their lives after being swept away by the floodwaters.

The manse in Petit-Goâve has been damaged in the flooding. We await information concerning other infrastructural impact in Central and Southern Haiti in regard to the effect on our members, schools, manses and chapels.

Exactly what is needed in both countries has to be assessed by the disaster mitigation committees on the ground. Basic humanitarian necessities will be required as a first response. This will include food, water, and hygiene kits, tents and other temporary shelters. We remain cognisent that the agricultural sector of both countries will have suffered extreme impact which will lead to food insecurity in the coming months. There is also heightened danger of water-borne and other related illnesses.

We invite you to join us in prayer for the survivors, for those who have lost their loved ones, those who have lost their homes and livelihood, those who are anxious because they are unable to contact friends and families, and others because the whole situation has been extremely traumatic. Mental health support will be required as part of our response, not only to those who have suffered, but also to those who are in the immediate response teams, including members who are first responders, and our clergy.

Your Servants for Jesus' sake
Juan M. Simpson B. (Bishop) – Connexional President
Jacqueline H. Liddell (Rev'd) – Connexional Secretary

Prayer

Loving God,

We offer you our prayers for people of the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and nearby islands. For those whose loved ones have been killed, we pray for comfort. For people who have been injured, we pray for those bringing medical aid to come quickly. For those anxious about the destruction around them or the coming wind and rain, we pray for your peace. For the public and emergency services, and those bringing aid, we pray for strength.
We pray for our partner Churches in the Jamaica and Haiti districts of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas and in the Methodist Church in Cuba.
Help them as they pray with and serve the community around them, may they know your presence at this time. Help us in Britain to be responsive in our prayer and solidarity with them as the news of the effects of this hurricane become clearer in the coming days.

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

The President and Vice-President of the Conference

sourced from the Methodist Church Website 31st October 2025