Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica (10/28/2025)

If you’ve ever visited Jamaica, you know it’s not just a destination. It’s the reggae drifting on a warm breeze, the laughter of the locals, the sand-soft evenings, the kind of place that stays in your heart long after your plane lands back home. 

When Hurricane Melissa began brewing over the Caribbean, few could have predicted how rapidly she would grow. Within days, the storm intensified into a Category 5 hurricane with massively destructive winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surges. As it tears toward Jamaica, forecasts are growing grim: catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread damage are all but certain. Melissa's strength is staggering. Meteorologists are now predicting that areas within the eye wall will experience total devastation.

As Hurricane Melissa moves through the Caribbean, we’re seeing photos and hearing from friends on the island, and our hearts are heavy. The beaches and streets that once rang with music are quiet now. Families are sheltering, waiting for the storm to pass.

This is the part of travel that people don’t often talk about — when a place you love is hurting, and you can’t do much from afar except hold your breath, send your love, and hope that the skies clear soon.

For us at Summit to Shore, this isn’t just another travel update. Jamaica is part of who we are. It’s where so many of our clients have celebrated honeymoons, anniversaries, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. It’s a place that has given us laughter, perspective, and peace. It’s a place that has also taught us about joy.

So today, our focus isn’t just on vacations — it’s on people. The people who welcome us every time we visit. The resort staff who remember your name from last year. The driver who tells stories that make you laugh all the way to Ocho Rios. The woman at the craft market who insists you take a little seashell “for luck.”

These are the people who make Jamaica what it is. And now, they’re the ones weathering this storm.

When we think about what it means to give back, we think about those experiences and the organizations who will step up to help.

One of those is Sandals Resorts — and if you know us, you know how much we love and admire what they do. Sandals began in Jamaica, born from the vision of Gordon “Butch” Stewart, a proud Jamaican who wanted the world to experience the love and warmth of his island home. Over the years, Sandals has grown, but its heart has never left Jamaica.

Through the Sandals Foundation, they’ve spent decades giving back — building schools, protecting the environment, supporting healthcare, and standing shoulder to shoulder with local communities in hard times. And now, as Hurricane Melissa leaves its mark, they’ll do what they’ve always done best: showing up.

With love and hope,
The Summit to Shore Travel Group Team
💌 sarah@summittoshoretravelgroup.com | 🌐 www.summittoshoretravelgroup.com 

☎️ 608-421-2175

If you’re wondering how to make a real difference, you can donate directly to the Sandals Foundation. The Sandals Foundation is a non-profit formed in 2009 to help Sandals Resorts International make a difference in the Caribbean. All costs associated with administration and management is supported by Sandals Resorts International so 100% of every dollar donated will go directly towards funding Education, Community, and Environment Projects. The Sandals Foundation has made a commitment to the entire Caribbean region to respond promptly to national emergencies caused by natural disasters. The Foundation lobbies support from resort guests, trade partners, travel agents, suppliers and other organizations to bring relief to communities affected by disaster. 

• Click the link below to donate directly to the Sandals Foundation**
• Select your amount
• Select Disaster Relief in the drop down menu
• Leave a personalized message of hope

**Summit to Shore Travel Group does not receive, nor do we have access to any of the donations made directly to the Sandals Foundation.

The Summit to Shore Travel Group Team
💌 sarah@summittoshoretravelgroup.com | 🌐 www.summittoshoretravelgroup.com 

☎️ 608-421-2175