TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Saturday the evacuation of 28 Floridians from Jamaica following the devastating impacts of powerful Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

According to a news release, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) began evacuation efforts on Friday, working closely with local officials to ensure the safe return of Floridians. The rescue flight departed Jamaica Saturday morning and landed at Tampa International Airport.

[VIDEO: Widespread deaths, devastation in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa]

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on the Tuesday afternoon, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm.

“Today’s operation in Jamaica brings stranded Floridians home in the wake of Hurricane Melissa,” Gov. DeSantis said. “I am grat

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