Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica's electric infrastructure last autumn. America's electric cooperatives answered the island nation's call for help, in part with a crew of linemen led by REC Director - Safety and Security Officer John Medved.
Devastation
Hurricane Melissa was the third most intense Atlantic hurricane on record when it slammed into Jamaica on Oct. 28, 2025. About 75% of the island's electric infrastructure was destroyed. As the catastrophic damage became known, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) requested assistance from NRECA International. This nonprofit organization of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association was formed in 1962 and assists governments and citizens in 54 developing countries with rural electrification and infrastructure construction.
Medved traveled to Jamaica three weeks after Hurricane Melissa. As an NRECA International team leader, he's no stranger to international line work. Since 2015, Medved has joined projects in Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala and, previoulsy, in Jamaica in 2024 after Hurricane Beryl. During his November 2025 trip, Medved assessed the conditions Hurricane Melissa left behind. "There was no vegetation. Broken poles were everywhere. Mountain flooding left six-foot-tall debris piles," Medved said. "When our co-op crew arrived a month later, though, we saw positive difference."
Restoration Begins
For 19 days in December 2025, Medved led 10 lineworker volunteers from electric cooperatives in Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and Virginia. Lead Lineman Calvin Jackson joined Medved from REC. "I'm glad and thankful I have the knowledge and years of storm experience to help others get a fresh start," Jackson said.
Safety gear and tools filled the linemen's luggage. "We knew we'd have minimal access to mechanized equipment. It limited the tools we could use," Medved said. Assigned to St. Ann Parish in north central Jamaica with JPS as their local partner, the linemen rebuilt and re-energized primary and secondary distribution lines, and reconnected electric services in multiple locations.
"The areas had smaller pockets of damage. The subdivisons were smaller, with maybe a dozen to 50 homes spread apart from each other," said Medved. The cooperative crew restored electricity to 800 to 1,200 homes. They also re-connected power to an elementary school and a few small churches. "Whereever we went, the residents were so kind, Medved said. "Whatever we needed, they helped us."
"We looked out for each other," Jackson added. "By the end of the trip, we were all family."
Power On
Because Jamaicans have endured the destruction of numerous hurricanes, they were extermely patient during the months it took to rebuild. They were equally jubilant when the lights came back on. "They ran out of their houses, jumping up and down. They shook our hand and fist-bumped us saying, 'Respect, much respect," Jackson said. "Seeing how thankful they were, it just made the whole trip for me."
