Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on Tuesday with record-breaking force, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and severe damage across the southwestern part of the island.
With winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph), homes lost roofs, trees were uprooted, and roads were blocked by debris.
Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, reported multiple families trapped by floodwaters in Black River, with rescue efforts stalled due to dangerous conditions. He said large areas of St. Elizabeth were submerged.
“There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5. The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned.
The storm has been linked to seven fatalities across the Caribbean, with three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where one individual is still unaccounted for.
Nearly 15,000 people took shelter as around 77% of homes lost power. Despite warnings, some teenagers ventured outside to experience the storm, with one 15-year-old describing it as feeling “like the world is falling apart.” Many families stayed put despite evacuation orders.
Melissa weakened slightly by Tuesday night but remained dangerous, moving north-northeast with winds of 125 mph (205 kph). Its intensity tied historic records from past devastating hurricanes in the Atlantic. Coastal hospitals faced power outages and damage, forcing patient evacuations. Authorities warned of displaced crocodiles in Kingston due to flooding.
Emergency teams prepared for rescues once the storm passed, with seven deaths linked to Melissa so far across the Caribbean. Aid agencies had supplies ready for quick distribution, and officials aimed to reopen airports by Thursday.
Melissa was forecast to hit eastern Cuba early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong storm surges. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called it “the strongest ever to hit national territory.” Thousands evacuated from vulnerable areas, including in Santiago de Cuba, where residents sought shelter and prepared for the worst.