The Category 5 storm, one of the strongest in modern history, ravages St. Ann, Trelawny, and other parishes causing power outages and mass displacement.
Thousands of Jamaicans are homeless and entire communities without power after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island nation with wind speeds of up to 185 miles per hour (300 km/h).
In St. Ann Parish, residents described the storm as the worst in living memory.
Fisherman George “Larry” Brown, 68, from the community of Priory, said the hurricane ripped off his roof within minutes.
“I just heard a sound, and it started to tear off,” Brown recalled. “Gilbert is no match to this.”
Meteorological data confirmed that Hurricane Melissa tied the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane record as one of the most intense storms ever to make landfall in the region.
Families Left Stranded and Homeless
Across northern Jamaica, residents like Kayan Davis, a mother of three, said their homes were destroyed.
“I have nowhere to sleep… I am going to have to contact the authorities,” she lamented.
In the nearby Kusaki and Salt Marsh areas, flooding and falling trees damaged properties and blocked major roads.
Police chief Velonique Campbell led a 30-man team with chainsaws to clear the highways for relief supplies.
Infrastructure and Schools Damaged
Among the destroyed buildings was William Knibb High School, the alma mater of Olympic legend Usain Bolt, which suffered extensive roof damage.
Local authorities said the Rio Cobre River overflowed, flooding farms and small businesses.
Bar owner Maureen Samuels narrowly escaped losing her establishment after a massive tree fell just inches away.
“Thanks be to God, the bar wasn’t damaged,” she said.
Nationwide Cleanup Underway
The Jamaican government, alongside international relief organisations, has begun mobilising emergency aid and cleanup operations.
Many residents are calling for urgent assistance to rebuild homes, restore power, and provide food and medical supplies.
Hurricane Melissa is now being recorded as one of the strongest storms to ever hit the Caribbean, underscoring the growing threat of extreme weather linked to climate change.
AFP
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