The devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica has led to a grim increase in the death toll, now standing at 28 according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness. He revealed that an additional nine deaths were confirmed yesterday, and warned that preliminary reports of further fatalities are still under verification, suggesting the true toll may be higher.
Emergency crews and aid organizations are facing significant challenges in reaching affected areas due to extensive damage, including blocked roads, widespread debris, and severe flooding. These obstacles are hampering efforts to deliver essential aid and assess the full extent of the devastation.
Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, has already caused numerous casualties throughout the Caribbean, bringing destructive winds and triggering dangerous landslides in countries like Cuba and Haiti.
The full scope of Melissa’s impact on Jamaica is only now beginning to emerge as communication and power systems, knocked out by the storm, are gradually being restored. Western parts of the island, including Black River and Montego Bay, have reportedly suffered the most severe damage, with images showing flattened buildings, streets littered with debris, and entire neighborhoods submerged in floodwaters.
The Red Cross reports that a staggering 72% of Jamaicans remain without electricity, and approximately 6,000 individuals are currently housed in emergency shelters. In response to the crisis, Jamaican authorities are establishing multiple field hospitals to provide medical assistance in the hardest-hit western regions.
The arrival of aid was initially delayed by the closure of Jamaica’s airports. Once flights resumed, the distribution of much-needed supplies was further complicated by impassable roads, a consequence of landslides, downed power lines, and fallen trees.
With a critical shortage of clean drinking water, food, and medicine, there are concerning reports of desperate residents entering shops and pharmacies to collect essential items. Hurricane Melissa has made history as the most powerful storm ever recorded to strike Jamaica and one of the most intense to hit the Caribbean region.
At its peak, Melissa sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h), far exceeding the 157 mph threshold for a Category 5 hurricane, which is associated with catastrophic damage.
The human cost extends across the Caribbean, with at least 31 reported deaths in Haiti and at least two in the Dominican Republic attributed to Melissa. Cuba has seen thousands evacuated, and over 60,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
While the direct link between climate change and the frequency of such storms is still being researched, experts indicate that rising sea surface temperatures provide more energy, potentially leading to more intense hurricanes with heavier rainfall. The world has already experienced a warming of approximately 1.1C since the industrial era began, and continued emissions will likely lead to further increases in global temperatures and more extreme weather events.