The Brian Lehrer Show Following Hurricane Melissa
Oct 29, 2025
Arlan Fuller, the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Project HOPE, shares critical insights on the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and surrounding areas. He discusses the challenges in communication and damage assessment, stressing the importance of local contacts for finding loved ones. Arlan highlights the effectiveness of monetary donations over in-kind aid for relief efforts. Additionally, he addresses concerns about Cuba's safety amid communication blackouts and the potential U.S. governmental response to the crisis.
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Catastrophic Impact And Communication Gaps
- Jamaica suffered catastrophic damage with many families left with almost nothing after Hurricane Melissa.
- Communication failures limit early damage assessment and make needs unclear.
Family Feed Cut Out Near Montego Bay
- Tiffany described losing feed and all contact with her grandparents near Montego Bay after the feed cut out around 11:30 p.m.
- She and other family members had heard nothing since and worry about their safety.
Use Local Contacts For Wellness Checks
- If you cannot reach loved ones, contact someone outside the affected area to physically check on them.
- Avoid relying solely on overwhelmed civil authorities for immediate wellness checks.