Jamaica is grappling with a grim reality as the confirmed death toll from Hurricane Melissa reached 28 on Saturday. This figure, however, is likely to increase significantly, as authorities and aid organizations admit they haven’t yet accessed dozens of communities pulverized by the storm.
Late Saturday, the Jamaican government updated its count, confirming nine additional fatalities, bringing the total from 19 to 28. Official statements indicate that more potential deaths are still under verification.
Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction deemed among the worst in the nation’s history. Meanwhile, neighboring Haiti, though not directly in the storm’s path, reported at least 30 deaths due to severe flooding.
Numerous communities, particularly across western Jamaica, remain isolated, cut off from the rest of the island by roads obliterated and choked with fallen trees. With power and communication lines largely down, rescue teams on the ground have expressed deep concern that the actual death toll across many regions could be far higher than official reports suggest, as the full extent of the damage remains unknown.
In St. Elizabeth Parish, located in the island’s southwest, Fire Superintendent Kimar Brooks confirmed that emergency crews have yet to reach approximately 15 of the parish’s nearly three dozen communities. Coleridge Minto, the police superintendent for St. Elizabeth, noted on Saturday that severe blockages have completely isolated several towns, with at least seven official deaths reported within the parish so far.
Esther Pinnock, spokesperson for the Jamaica Red Cross, highlighted that five additional parishes also contain numerous isolated communities that suffered extensive damage.
“A significant number of communities remain inaccessible,” she stated, emphasizing that many are small, remote pockets of population. “We simply don’t have a complete picture of the situation in the western parishes yet.”
Remarkably, it wasn’t until Saturday – a full four days after Hurricane Melissa roared ashore – that the Red Cross finally re-established communication with its local branch members in these hard-hit western regions.
“There is a strong, grim possibility that more deceased individuals will be found,” she warned, anticipating a further rise in the official death count.
John Lyon, executive director of the nonprofit Haiti Air Ambulance, whose teams have been performing rescues and deploying satellite internet in remote areas, described the current death toll as merely a preliminary ‘estimate.’
During his helicopter flights to cut-off areas, Mr. Lyon encountered residents who reported that some victims of the storm remained trapped within their collapsed homes. He mentioned that his coalition, Operation One Love, airlifted one individual on Saturday who tragically succumbed to their injuries later that day.
“This is a small example of what I believe has unfolded across all of western Jamaica,” Mr. Lyon stated, adding with gravity, “This is truly one of the worst disasters I have ever witnessed.”
However, he highlighted that the combined efforts of the U.S. military and various nonprofit groups are bringing additional helicopters into the country. These resources are crucial for providing urgent medical attention to survivors and for accurately assessing the final number of casualties.
Mr. Lyon confirmed that Jamaican authorities had requested his coalition’s assistance in body recovery, but he advised them that the priority remained “search and rescue.”
Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government, announced that over 500 roads have now been cleared, finally reconnecting many previously isolated neighborhoods.
“Progress is being made, but the challenges we face here are truly extreme,” he conceded.
Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s Minister of Energy and Transportation, assured the public that the government is working closely with the military and nonprofit organizations to coordinate efforts and reach every person affected.
Addressing those still awaiting aid, Mr. Vaz stated on Friday, “To all of you out there waiting and looking up, you will start to see movement today, and you’re going to hear a lot of activity.”
“You might feel forgotten,” he added, delivering a powerful message of reassurance. “But you are not forgotten, and you will never be forgotten.”
Emiliano Rodríguez Mega contributed reporting.