First Alert: WCK Mobilizes to Jamaica Ahead of Category 5 Hurricane
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Jamaica ahead of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa’s landfall. The storm is expected to bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. We’re working with local partners to begin serving meals as quickly as possible to families impacted by the storm.
Families across the country are bracing for what could be its most powerful storm in recorded history—prompting evacuations, airport closures, and the opening of hundreds of shelters. Our Relief Team prepositioned in the region over the weekend and is working with local Jamaican partners to ensure meals reach impacted communities as soon as it is safe to do so.
“WCK has already mobilized, pre-deploying teams to assist in recovery efforts,” said Samantha, a WCK team member in Jamaica. “We’re coordinating with local restaurant partners to ensure they can serve meals once the hurricane passes.”
Melissa is expected to slam into Jamaica’s southern coast on Tuesday, Oct. 28, before moving toward Cuba as a major storm and then crossing the Bahamas
This marks WCK’s second hurricane response in Jamaica, following Hurricane Beryl in 2024. After Beryl left a trail of devastation from the Caribbean to the northeastern United States, WCK mobilized across five countries and, together with local partners, served more than 43,000 meals in Jamaica.
This remains a quickly evolving situation. You can sign up to our newsletter to receive more information and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for real-time updates.
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