As news of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica continues to unfold, our hearts are with the people, communities, and customers we’ve come to know as friends over the years.
The storm, which made landfall on October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 hurricane, left widespread damage across the island. Homes were destroyed, infrastructure was crippled, and much of the country was left without power. While cleanup and recovery are underway, the road ahead will take time, resources, and collective effort.
At Gulf South Forest Products, we’ve worked in the Jamaican market since our company’s inception. The relationships we’ve built there go far beyond business — they are personal. Our customers, colleagues, and friends in Jamaica have long been part of our story, and today, we stand firmly beside them in theirs.
What We Know So Far
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with sustained winds near 185 mph, making it one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the nation’s history. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides have affected nearly every parish.
- Power outages: Millions remain without electricity, making restoration of energy networks the top national priority.
- Port operations: Kingston Port has reopened — a vital step toward getting aid and supplies into the country.
- Infrastructure impact: Roads, bridges, and communication lines suffered major damage, slowing access to some communities.
- Recovery efforts: Local and international agencies are mobilizing, but the scale of damage is immense.
For an island nation that has always shown remarkable resilience, this event is testing the limits of endurance. Yet, as we’ve seen time and again, the Jamaican spirit remains unbreakable.
Our Connection Runs Deep
For over three decades, Gulf South Forest Products has proudly supplied Southern Yellow Pine lumber, poles, and treated materials to Jamaica’s utilities, builders, and distributors.
From Kingston to Montego Bay, our partnerships have supported power infrastructure, construction projects, and local industries that strengthen communities. Many of the individuals and companies we’ve worked with over the years have become more than clients — they’ve become friends.
That’s why this disaster feels close to home. As we continue to check in with our partners across the island, we’re reminded that behind every shipment and every handshake is a shared commitment to building — and rebuilding — stronger communities.
How You Can Help
Recovery efforts will take months, and every contribution matters. If you’re looking for trustworthy organizations supporting relief efforts on the ground, here are some options:
- Jamaica Red Cross – Providing shelter, emergency supplies, and volunteer coordination.
👉 redcross.org - UNICEF Jamaica – Ensuring access to clean water, medical care, and safe learning spaces for children.
👉 unicefusa.org - Samaritan’s Purse – Airlifting water filtration systems, solar lights, and hygiene kits to affected areas.
👉 samaritanspurse.org - American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) – Organizing emergency funds and rebuilding initiatives.
👉 theafj.org
Even small donations can make a difference — helping families rebuild, restoring schools, and reconnecting communities to power and stability.
Hope and Resilience
As power restoration begins and ports reopen, attention will soon turn to rebuilding homes, repairing infrastructure, and supporting the industries that drive Jamaica’s economy.
Gulf South Forest Products stands ready to assist in any way we can — whether through continued supply of quality utility poles and construction materials or through coordination with our partners to support rebuilding efforts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jamaican people during this time. We believe that with unity, compassion, and determination, the island will emerge stronger than ever — just as it has so many times before.
A Message to Our Partners in Jamaica
To our customers and friends across Jamaica:
We’re thinking of you. We’re praying for your safety, your families, and your communities. We’re grateful for the years of trust and partnership, and we remain committed to standing beside you — now and in the months of recovery ahead.
If there’s any way we can assist or connect you with additional resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can help rebuild and restore what was lost.
