A Jacksonville business owner in Jamaica is providing a firsthand look at the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The storm has since then caused devastation in the Caribbean as it hammers Cuba and the Bahamas. Reports from multiple agencies detail damage and lives lost in Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
We first spoke with Ricky Ravelo as Hurricane Melissa was making landfall in Jamaica.
We checked back in with them on Wednesday morning and he and his wife Franny are okay.
“We were extremely nervous,” Franny said.
The couple captured video footage during the storm showing heavy winds, though they had power most of the night at the resort where they stayed.
RELATED: Jacksonville woman prays for family in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa slams island with 185 mph winds
Other parts of the island experienced howling winds and more severe conditions.
Ricky and Fanny waited out the storm, knowing the next day would bring significant challenges for people living in Jamaica.
“We wish them the best. We hope that they continue to be resilient and be strong,” Ricky said. “Some of them can’t even reach their family members yet.”
After the storm passed, Ricky sent video showing downed trees and roof damage near their location, though overall they were okay.
However, the broader picture reveals hospitals, airports, and infrastructure flattened and scattered by the storm’s force.
Tens of thousands have reportedly sought shelter, and more than half a million people were without power Wednesday, according to the Jamaican government.
“We pray for them and as soon as we can venture out, we will, because we want to see what’s going on and how we can help,” Ricky added.
At least 25 people were killed in Haiti, and multiple fatalities have been recorded in Jamaica ahead of the storm, with the death toll expected to rise.
Ricky and Fanny, who run a roofing business, Arica Construction, in Jacksonville, say they are working with the chamber of commerce to possibly send supplies to Jamaica and help with rebuilding efforts.
“We’ll come back and if they need us, we will come back,” Ricky said. “I got general contractors, engineers that I can bring over and help out the situation over here.”
Ricky and his wife plan to fly home this weekend and have been able to book a flight.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.