Christian leaders and communities are urging prayers as Hurricane Melissa, a devastating category five storm, approaches Jamaica.
Many residents have been evacuated, with authorities warning of catastrophic flooding, high winds, and widespread damage.
Former pastor Dr Joe Aldred, who grew up in Jamaica and still has family there, told Premier: “The last serious category five hurricane was Gilbert in 1988… now, with Melissa ready to strike, there’s a lot of apprehension and worry, I’ve got a brother who lives on the island, so it’s challenging”.
Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring winds of 175 miles per hour and up to 30 inches of rain, potentially making it the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica.
The storm has already caused several deaths and injuries as residents prepared for its arrival.
Dr Aldred said some communities may be partially shielded by mountain ranges, but he stressed the importance of prayer and practical support. “We should pray and be seeking divine intervention… but also think about how we can practically help” he said.
Bishop Provenzano has also called for prayers across the region, including Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He shared a prayer from the Jesuit Church, via America Magazine, asking God to “calm the wind and the waves… and spare those in its path from harm”.
The Christian relief organisation, Samaritan’s Purse, said it was ready to respond as Jamaica braced for its strongest storm on record, with teams on standby to deliver emergency aid once conditions allowed.
Franklin Graham, the CEO told Premier the group had been coordinating closely with local authorities: “We’ve already talked to the Jamaican government. Yesterday, we gave them the tail numbers of our airplanes that will be coming in, and we’ll be sending not only our cargo planes in with supplies that we know they’ll need, shelter material, because roofs will be blown off, that sort of thing. So we already have that in stock”.
Several artists have expressed support and solidarity, including Jamaican artist Shenseea, who posted on her Instagram story, “Sending love, strength and prayers to every corner” and rapper Meek Mill, who wrote, “Prayers to Jamaica”.
The government has closed schools and airports and urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, as communities brace for the storm’s landfall.