Charlotte County Fire & EMS lieutenant helps with Jamaica hurricane recovery

Residents in southern Jamaica are still dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Melissa, which struck with unprecedented force.

Charlotte County Public Safety said from Nov. 8 to 22, 2025, Charlotte County Fire & EMS Lt. Jarrod Gavagni served as operations section chief with Project Heal Jamaica.

Gavagni helped coordinate vital relief efforts to support families on their long road to recovery. Teams distributed more than 12,000 hot meals, 10,500 meals ready to eat, and over 1,000 cases of drinking water to hard-to-reach communities. They also repaired and tarped nearly 30 homes and helped stabilize 10 schools.

Melissa made its first landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Oct. 28, 2025, with 185 mph winds. The storm's intensity made it the first Category 5 hurricane to hit Jamaica in the island's recorded history.

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