Additional Coverage:
- Hurricane Melissa’s devastating eyewall carves path of destruction through Montego Bay, western Jamaica (foxweather.com)
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – The dawn has unveiled a scene of widespread devastation across western Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa’s historic landfall as a monstrous Category 5 storm. Melissa roared ashore Tuesday afternoon near New Hope, packing incredible 185 mph winds, before its destructive eyewall passed directly over Montego Bay, a bustling city and popular tourist destination.
Images from the island’s northwestern shore, captured by FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray, show buildings reduced to rubble, roofs torn from structures, and streets choked with debris and downed power lines. These harrowing scenes emerged as Ray’s crew navigated toward Montego Bay, having weathered the storm in St. Ann Parish, approximately 55 miles to the east.
Ray described the damage as “immense,” recounting numerous personal accounts of residents’ terrifying experiences during the storm. Hurricane Melissa’s eyewall took roughly four hours to traverse Jamaica, exiting as a still-powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Videos from Montego Bay during the storm’s peak depict intense wind gusts, trees violently whipping, and a deafening roar. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross likened the storm’s eyewall to a 30-mile-wide EF-5 tornado tearing across the island.
Jamaican officials reported that 77% of the country was without power Wednesday morning.
As the worst of the storm receded, tourists in Montego Bay began to survey the damage. One visitor at the Hotel Catalonia shared a video showing roof panels ripped away and entire sections of the interior ceiling collapsed.
Another guest at the Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites Hotel, identified as TikTok user Sherry, captured missing ceiling panels in the lobby, remarking, “It’s like a waterfall.” She extended her gratitude to the hotel staff, praising their “above and beyond” efforts.
As of Wednesday morning, Jamaican officials stated that approximately 25,000 people were housed in shelters across the island. While at least three pre-landfall fatalities were reported, no deaths or injuries have been confirmed since Tuesday. Government officials indicated that a thorough assessment would be completed before releasing a full death toll.
Black River, one of the island’s oldest towns located just 11 miles south of the official landfall, suffered severe wind and storm surge damage. Video from the Jamaica Constabulary Force revealed snapped power poles, torn-off roofs, and flooded streets.
Aerial footage of the surrounding St. Elizabeth Parish showed trees completely stripped of leaves and branches, a stark indicator of the intense wind gusts.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray, reporting from central Jamaica in St. Ann’s Parish on Tuesday, experienced extensive wind damage firsthand at the home where his team was staying. Hurricane Melissa now stands tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane in the last 90 years.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Jamaica’s mountainous terrain is expected to continue enhancing any lingering rainfall, as deep tropical moisture remains drawn over the island by Melissa’s circulation.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa has also left a tragic mark on Haiti, not through direct landfall, but through extreme flooding caused by days of heavy rain from its outer bands. At least 28 people have been confirmed dead in Haiti due to floods attributed to Hurricane Melissa.