TAMPA (WCJB) - A plane carrying 28 Floridians who were stranded in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa landed in Tampa Saturday afternoon.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says he worked with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and local officials to begin evacuations on Friday.

“Throughout my time as governor, Florida has rescued our residents from warzones and in the wake of natural disasters,” DeSantis said. “Today’s operation in Jamaica brings stranded Floridians home in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. I am grateful for the efforts of our emergency management officials and partners who worked to make this happen.”

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday and was one of the strongest recorded storms in history with winds up to 185 mph.

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