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Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, made landfall near New Hope, in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph (298 km/h) and a central pressure that was the second lowest in Atlantic history since 1851.
This made it the strongest storm ever to hit Jamaica, surpassing Hurricane Gilbert of 1988. The hurricane’s slow movement—at only 2 mph (3 km/h)—exacerbated its destructive power, prolonging exposure to hurricane-force winds, torrential rains, and a massive storm surge.
The winds ripped off between 80% and 90% of the roofs in the affected areas and demolished buildings, hospitals, police stations, libraries, and infrastructure.
The historic coastal town of Black River in St. Elizabeth was described as “totally destroyed” and “ground zero,” with a storm surge of more than 15 feet (4.6 meters) that left some areas unrecognizable: streets littered with debris, cell phone towers twisted, and entire neighborhoods leveled.
More than 170 communities in six severely affected parishes (including St. Elizabeth, Hanover, St. James, Manchester, Clarendon, and parts of St. Catherine) suffered moderate to severe flooding.
Landmarks such as Flat Bridge in St. Catherine were rendered impassable by the force of the water, leaving drivers stranded and isolating rural areas. Numerous landslides buried roads and homes, especially in the mountainous interior.
Internet connectivity dropped to 30% of normal levels nationwide, and power outages affected hundreds of thousands of people.
Mobile phone towers collapsed, hampering rescue efforts and leaving isolated communities without communication.
At least 19 storm-related deaths were confirmed in Jamaica, including pre-impact fatalities from accidents during preparations and post-impact incidents such as drownings in floods.
Thousands of people were displaced, and more than 140,000 were initially cut off due to blocked roads. As of November 1, no official count of missing persons was available, but search and rescue operations continued in the worst-affected areas.
The storm’s path battered Jamaica’s agricultural heartland and tourist resorts like Montego Bay, exacerbating the vulnerability of a country already prone to hurricane damage due to its rugged terrain and reliance on coastal economies.
The aftermath of the hurricane triggered a series of crises that tested Jamaica’s resources and highlighted systemic vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change.
Disruption of health services led to urgent appeals for blood donations after blood banks collapsed; hospitals in the hurricane’s path were destroyed or flooded.
Water contamination increased the risk of disease outbreaks (e.g., cholera, dengue fever), and mental health issues are anticipated due to the trauma of loss and displacement.
More than 160 homes in some areas were flooded, forcing families to seek refuge in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and sanitation.
Jamaica’s tourism sector, which contributes approximately 30% of GDP, was severely impacted, with 25,000 international visitors stranded (all located) awaiting evacuation flights from reopened airports such as Norman Manley International Airport.
Agricultural losses in key parishes devastated crops such as bananas and coffee, jeopardizing food security and exports.
Initial estimates suggest billions of dollars in damage, which could equal or exceed the impact of Hurricane Gilbert, estimated at $4 billion (adjusted), and recovery is expected to take years and hinder GDP growth.
Roads remain impassable in rural areas, delaying aid deliveries; the Jamaica Defence Force used helicopters to access them.
Fuel shortages led to extended service hours at gas stations like Thrifty, while poor infrastructure has left communities in dire straits: residents of Black River fled on foot or by motorcycle, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage.
Marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ communities and low-income farmers, face greater needs; fundraising campaigns for essential items such as tarpaulins and reconstruction are targeting these groups.
From an environmental perspective, the storm’s intensity, fueled by Caribbean waters 1.4% warmer than average, indicates an intensification of hurricanes, and leaders are lamenting the “climate crisis we did not cause.”
Regional repercussions included pledges of aid from the United Kingdom (£5 million), the United States (humanitarian support through the State Department), China (family kits for Cuba), and Trinidad and Tobago (the first aid shipment to Jamaica).
Diaspora efforts, such as the Hummingbirds Association in the Bahamas and the Golden Krust’s $250,000 fundraising effort, highlight global solidarity with Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa’s passage through Jamaica serves as a stark reminder of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to disasters exacerbated by climate change.
Experts dubbed it “the storm of the century” due to its unprecedented strength and slow-moving nature. Premier Andrew Holness pledged to dedicate “all our efforts” to the recovery, suspending import tariffs on relief items (such as food and clothing) from October 29 to November 28 to expedite aid.
Celebrities like Denzel Washington donated $500,000 to schools and homes for homeless children, while community initiatives—from the Berkeley Caribbean Coalition (with a $20,000 goal) to local LGBTQ+ fundraising events—highlighted the community’s resilience.
Experts at Northeastern University predict infrastructure and the economy will be paralyzed for months, and full rebuilding could extend for years, amid demands for international reparations from high-emission countries.
As Melissa weakened to a Category 1 hurricane on its path toward Bermuda, its legacy underscores the urgent need for investments in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and global climate action to mitigate future catastrophic threats.
The spirit of Jamaica endures, but the human cost—traumatized residents scavenging through the rubble—demands swift and sustained global support.
