What happened to Richard and Dianne Kitching during Hurricane Melissa?

Richard and Dianne Kitching, a retired couple from Ontario, Canada, lost contact with their family as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, devastated their home in Jamaica. The couple was hiding under their concrete porch when the roof blew off, and they have not been heard from since.

How has Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica?

Hurricane Melissa has caused extensive damage across Jamaica, with officials estimating it could take years for the island to recover. The storm has been described as one of the strongest to ever hit the region, with extreme winds, powerful storm surge, and torrential rainfall destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

What is the status of the search for the Kitchings?

The Kitchings' family is desperately searching for any information about the couple's whereabouts, but communication remains limited in the aftermath of the hurricane. They are holding out hope that the resourceful couple has found a way to survive the storm, but the devastation across the island is making the search increasingly difficult.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Retired Couple Vanish After Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

Retired Couple Vanish After Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

1 Nov

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Summary

Retired couple from Ontario, Canada lost contact during Hurricane Melissa
Couple was hiding under their home as the roof blew off
Family fears for their safety and has not heard from them in days

Retired Couple Vanish After Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

On 2025-11-01T06:24:45+00:00, a retired Canadian couple, Richard and Dianne Kitching, were caught in the path of the devastating Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The Kitchings had moved to the island from Ontario after retiring, but their island dreams have now turned into a nightmare.

As Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, tore through Jamaica, the Kitchings' home lost its roof. The couple took shelter underneath their concrete porch, but they soon lost contact with their son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Jeanine. In a frantic call, the Kitchings had told their son that the winds were increasing dramatically, and then the line went dead.

For days, the Kitchings' family has been waiting anxiously to hear if the retirees are safe. They do not know if Richard and Dianne have access to food, water, or a safe place to rest. The devastation across Jamaica is extensive, and officials estimate it could take years for the island to recover from the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Melissa.

Despite the grim situation, the Kitchings' family is holding out hope that the resourceful couple has found a way to survive the storm. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the Kitchings rebuild their home and replace their belongings once they are located.

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