Devastating Impact of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa roared through the Caribbean as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, making catastrophic landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph. In Jamaica, the storm unleashed unprecedented destruction: up to 90% of roofs were ripped off in ground-zero areas like Black River, where the port was totally obliterated; entire communities in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover were flattened by flooding, landslides, and debris; at least 8 lives were lost; and over 25,000 people sought refuge in emergency shelters amid widespread power outages affecting 77% of the island.Forward Team Deployed: Boots on the Ground in the Bahamas
The storm then barreled through the Bahamas, battering the southeastern out islands, including Long Island, Acklins, and Crooked Island, with hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, and flooding that prompted one of the largest evacuations in the nation's history, displacing nearly 1,500 residents. Recovery efforts are underway, but these remote communities remain cut off and in desperate need of support.
Eagles Wings’ Pathfinders teams actually worked under Jamaica’s Emergency Management for one week about 5 years ago on a country wide exercise under the US Coast Guard. While we do have contacts still there and will support relief efforts, the distance and logistics currently are a major challenge. In the Bahamas, Eagles Wings has a 26 year history of responding, and its Pathfinders Task Force was the local Incident Command under the Bahamian NEMA for the Joaquin response. Many of the contacts made back then helped insure a very rapid response with needed relief supplies this time. With these considerations, Eagles Wings is splitting its efforts – see below.
EWF handing off emergency relief supplies to Long Island PD for final mile delivery to residents impacted by Hurricane Melissa
On the Ground in Southeast Bahamas
EWF's dedicated forward team is already deployed in the South-East Bahamas, based out of Abaco and extending vital support to Long Island, Acklins, and Crooked Islands, the hardest-hit out islands squarely in Melissa's path.
Our mission there is in full swing: performing a rapid damage assessment yesterday on parts of Long Island and interfacing directly with local government officials to streamline and facilitate the distribution of donated supplies from the United States. To date, Scott and his team delivered to the following requested items to the local Chief Council and the police force on Long Island to distribute:
- A Star Link satellite communication system as the cell and Internet along with the power all went down
- Hundreds of roofing tarps to protect families from ongoing rains
- Stihl chain saws with spare bars and chains to help clear roads
- Various other relief supplies tailored to the urgent needs of affected populations
These remote islands face isolation and scarcity, but EWF is helping to bridge the gap and ensuring aid flows where it's needed most. Special thanks goes to Terrece Bootle Laing and Chief Council Ian Knowles, as well as the police Superintendent, his officers, and customs personnel.
Matching In-Kind Donations for Jamaica Relief
Partnering for Maximum Impact in Jamaica
The Eagles' Wings Foundation (EWF) is stepping up with one initial donor with a matching, in-kind donation challenge up to $10,000. We are intending to direct this critical support to vetted aid organizations with active, on-the-ground operations inside Jamaica. A number of our partners already are engaged and we have had calls from a number of local agencies looking to assist.
Stand with Us
Reach out today via our website at www.ewfrelief.org for the latest updates, ways to donate supplies or funds, partnership opportunities, or to learn how you can join our mission.
