In brief
Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc across Jamaica, leaving approximately three-quarters of the island without power and causing severe flooding in many areas. The storm attained Category 5 strength, with wind speeds exceeding 298 km/h, leading to catastrophic damage to homes, hospitals, and infrastructure. As rescue teams work to assess the aftermath, the scale of destruction remains uncertain, with reports of trapped families and extensive infrastructure damage.
The normal soundtrack that accompanies Jamaican life is silent this morning as many have woken to no electricity. About three-quarters of the island is without power and many parts of its western side are under water, with homes destroyed by strong winds after Hurricane Melissa tore across the island with catastrophic force.As wind and rain lashed through the night, one local official said the destruction resembled the scene of an apocalypse movie. With communications crippled, the true scale of the disaster remains unknown. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area late Tuesday, warning of devastating impacts and significant damage to hospitals, homes, and businesses. Although no deaths have yet been confirmed, Montego Bay's mayor Richard Vernon told the BBC his first task at daybreak would be to check if everybody is alive.Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to strike Jamaica in modern history, barrelled across the country on Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of ruin. At its peak, the hurricane sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph) - stronger than Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005 and killed 1,392 people.It resembled the scene of an apocalypse movie, an MP in western Jamaica told Kingston-based journalist Kimone Francis of The Jamaica Gleaner. Francis described the night as stressful and intense, marked by relentless heavy wind and rain.Across Jamaica's central parishes, floodwaters rose to the roofs of two-storey homes, and health officials issued a crocodile warning, cautioning that floodwaters could drive the reptiles into residential areas.Local government minister Desmond Mckenzie reported that at least three families in St Elizabeth were trapped in their homes, and rescue efforts were hindered by dangerous conditions. The aftermath of the hurricane left many regions isolated, with Montego Bay's mayor stating that heavy rainfall had split the city in two, severing critical connections.The devastation is not only felt in urban areas but also in rural regions where crops and fields have been destroyed, compounding the challenges for local farmers. As the storm weakened to a Category 3 hurricane while making landfall in Cuba, fears linger about the immediate future and recovery efforts for the beleaguered island.Jamaica's Prime Minister has expressed concerns about potential loss of life and widespread damage, with emergency services and community leaders rallying to support those affected by this unprecedented natural disaster.}
