Hurricane Melissa - Prayers for Jamaica

By Cheryl (Rostad) Barry of Underwood

My brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Karen Rostad, have been missionaries in Jamaica since the late 1980’s. They’ve witnessed tropical depressions and hurricanes, Gilbert in 1988 and Ivan in 2004. Although these storms were devastating, they pale in comparison to the monster Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed 1/3 of the island on Oct. 27-28, 2025. It was labeled a Category 5, but was more like a Category 6 because of the widespread destruction in its wake. Here is Brad’s account of the storm:

Scenes from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa ripped through the island. Above, this church was completely destroyed. Contributed photo

“On Oct. 27, having secured the house and animals as best they could, Karen and I took refuge in a small room for six hours while the storm raged with winds topping 100 mph or more. We were in line for a direct hit but Melissa veered west at the last minute. We just had damage but many Jamaicans were not so lucky. Those who live in the valley have been underwater after receiving 20 inches of rain. Sadly there is nowhere for the water to go.

Brad with another Jamaican trying to bring relief to those most affected by the storm. Contributed photo

When the roads were cleared enough to navigate, we, along with two church members headed for ‘ground zero’ with care packages that had been dropped by helicopters in remote areas. It was apocalyptic. People were huddled alongside the road with faces of despair. They had no home or any place to take refuge. Children were begging for food and water—very heart-wrenching. The beautiful landscape with lush vegetation was reduced to chaff as if it were run over by giant threshing machines for as far as the eye could see. Small villages and modest homes, schools, churches and businesses were decimated.”

Even though Brad and Karen have been without electricity and internet since the onset of the storm they felt blessed they were able to make the journey to deliver much-needed care packages. 

“The expression of thankfulness on the Jamaicans’ faces brings joy to our hearts hoping we can make someones’ lives a little easier,” said Brad.