Polk County ministry gathering supplies to help Jamaica, looking for volunteers

A local ministry in Polk County is gathering food and medical supplies and is looking for volunteers to help with disaster relief efforts in Jamaica.

Florida-based relief groups launch efforts to storm-ravaged Jamaica

Jamaica is beginning a long recovery after taking the direct hit from Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall as a Category Five storm earlier this week. Communities from Montego Bay to the southern coast sustained catastrophic damage, with widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and washed-out roads.

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope.

Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifies near Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has resumed strengthening this evening and is still forecast to become a Category 5 hurricane within the next day.

Guantánamo Bay begins evacuations as Hurricane Melissa nears category 5 strength

As Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a powerful Category 4 storm with the potential to reach Category 5 strength, U.S. authorities at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, have begun evacuating non-mission-essential U.S. citizens.

Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifying in Caribbean, could become Category 5 storm

Hurricane Melissa continues to have our attention in the Caribbean as it's anticipated to undergo rapid intensification. The storm became a hurricane Saturday afternoon. 

Beach Art Center reopening Friday, one year after suffering hurricane damage

After a year of repairs from storm surge damage, the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks Beach will have its grand reopening on Friday night.