Local linemen Casey Butler, Jeff Thomas Jr., Dean Samuel Jr. and Jordan Watson of Choptank Electric Cooperative traveled to Jamaica in December of last year to help restore power after Hurricane Melissa. 
Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall Oct. 28, 2025, destroyed an estimated 75% of Jamaica’s electrical infrastructure. Eleven lineworkers from five electric cooperatives throughout the U.S. went to Jamaica from Dec. 1-19 with NRECA International to help restore power to the Discovery Bay area in Saint Ann Parish on the island’s north coast. 

The Choptank team’s mission was to get the lights back on. They worked closely with Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and local contractors to restore power lines that were damaged during the storm.

“It was such a terrible hurricane that went through there, and they were without power for months,” said Jordan Watson, a Journeyman Lineman in Choptank’s Salisbury District. “I was given the ability to do linework and I thought the best way I could give back is to be able to go down there and help those in need.” 

Dean Samuel Jr., a Serviceman in Choptank’s Cambridge District, talked about the challenges of doing linework without access to his usual equipment. 

“The most challenging part was probably working out of a tour bus. We had five or six guys and a pretty small tour bus with all of our tools. Every stop we would need different tools and it was tight,” explained Dean. “I’m glad I went. It was a great experience and made me a better lineman and a better person.”
“It took us more time to do less tasks because you are relying on doing everything on hooks, and you’ve got to make sure you are inspecting the pole because some of the poles were in really bad shape,” added Casey Butler, a Chief Lineman from Choptank’s Denton District. 

The Choptank crew knew that teamwork was the answer to conquering these challenges.
“Teamwork was very important,” said Jeff Thomas Jr., a Chief Lineman in Choptank’s Salisbury District.  “We got to learn a lot about how they do things over there and how they get by with just a little bit of material to get the lights back on.” 

This was Casey Butler’s third time traveling with NRECA International to help people in need. Casey talked about how these trips have given him perspective.

“It’s definitely life changing … You can’t imagine what people go through down there and what we take for granted. And it’s just nice to be able to give back to the community.” 
Jordan also talked about interacting with the local people of Jamaica and their ability to stay positive in the wake of the destruction.

“Every job we were on, the locals were right there in the midst of everything. They don’t call it electric, they call it lights,” said Jordan. “They had the best spirit in the world even being without power for weeks and weeks. When you talk to and interact with them, it’s as if it was just another day in paradise, because there’s a lot more to life in Jamaica than having the lights on.”

Casey shared that even though there was still work to be done, he knew that the people of Jamaica were going to persevere. 

“Just knowing that you could give them hope and that they still had a positive outlook on everything is what made it awesome. And it made it easier to come home knowing that not everyone’s power is on, but I know they’re going to be alright and they’re going to get there.”