SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to ever hit Jamaica, has left widespread destruction across the Caribbean. San Diego-based International Relief Teams is already mobilizing food, shelter and rebuilding supplies.

The Caribbean is still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Jamaica. Whole communities were destroyed, and officials warn recovery could take years.

San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is already on the front lines, helping families survive and rebuild.

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, with winds topping 180 mph, tearing through homes, farms and critical infrastructure. More than 50 people across the Caribbean have been reported dead, and hundreds of thousands remain without power.

Catastrophic Damage

Widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and debris-covered communities mark western Jamaica, where Melissa left catastrophic damage.

“It’s pretty bad. Whole communities have been devastated,” Rose Uranga, chief operating officer at IRT said.

Uranga said the nonprofit, active since 1988, responds to disasters worldwide and locally. But in Jamaica, the work is just beginning.

“Right now we are focusing on the critical needs, food, water, shelter, baby formula, diapers, blankets,” Uranga said. “We’re sourcing everything locally, which allowed us to respond quickly.”

Partnering with local labor not only speeds up recovery, she said, but also keeps money flowing into Jamaica’s economy.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will be filling containers and sending them over,” Uranga said.

IRT leaders say they will stay committed as long as it takes to help communities rebuild.

“This is going to be a long recovery effort. We will be providing as we go forward building materials, drywall, and paying local labor to rebuild. It will be quite a long process,” Uranga said.

IRT plans to begin filling and shipping containers to Jamaica in the coming weeks and will send volunteer teams once rebuilding begins.

The nonprofit has been providing disaster relief since 1988 and says it will remain in Jamaica as long as necessary to help families recover.

Bryan Copeland

OBITUARY

George Bryan Copeland was called home to Heaven on September 26, 2025.

George Bryan was born on August 18, 1947, in La Mesa, California, to John and Patricia Copeland.

While attending school, George Bryan was especially interested in playing baseball, and he was a big fan of the San Diego Padres. For several years, he was a member of the San Diego Zoo and enjoyed many hours visiting the animals.

After graduating from high school in 1966, George Bryan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

He was a supply clerk, rising to the rank of Corporal.

Following his military service, George Bryan embarked on a career as an electrician with the State of California Department of Corrections.

George Bryan resided in La Mesa at the time of his passing.

George Bryan is survived by his former wife Rosalie, sons Joshua and Scott, and brothers Bill and Paul. Bryan will be memorialized November 8th at the Piccadilly Village Clubhouse.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — This Halloween, the San Diego County Clerk’s office transformed into a haunted chapel of love for its second annual Halloweddings. Costumed officiants, creepy vows, and spooky decorations set the scene for couples ready to say “I do” in true Halloween style.

For Angela Tran and Phillip Ona, Halloween has always been special. On Friday afternoon, it wasn’t just about candy and costumes, it was their anniversary, and they decided to make it extra memorable.

“We wanted a silly way to get legally married,” Angela said. “Our anniversary is around Halloween, and we had so much fun putting this together.”

Dozens of couples took part in the Halloween-themed ceremony, hosted by the County Clerk’s Office, exchanging vows like:

“Dear friends, we have been summoned here today for the hauntingly joyful wedding of Angela to her boo Phillip.”

County Clerk and Commissioner of Marriages Jordan Marks says events like Halloweddings are about making love less stressful and more memorable:

“People want a great time to celebrate. What better day than Halloween? Now couples get to do that for their entire lives every Halloween.”

No appointments. No long waits. Just walk in, get your marriage license, and tie the knot.

“Halloween is filled with some of the greatest love stories of all time,” Marks added. “Today, people get to pledge their undying love and say ‘I doo’ to their boo.”

For some couples, the theme got extra creative.

“We’re vampires. I don’t know if you bit me, we both have blood,” laughed Angela.

Beneath the darkness, the only thing truly immortal was their love.