Additional Coverage:
- Hurricane Melissa death toll climbs over 40 as Jamaicans plead for food, water during recovery efforts (foxweather.com)
Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Devastation Across Caribbean, Death Toll Climbs
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa continues to unfold across the Caribbean, with the death toll rising in the wake of its destructive landfalls in Jamaica and Cuba. The historic storm has left a swathe of devastation, crippling infrastructure and leaving communities in dire need of assistance.
Communication networks remain severely hampered in many affected regions, making it challenging to get a full picture of the damage and casualties. However, reports of fatalities are steadily increasing as information begins to trickle in.
In southern Haiti, the mayor of Petit-Grove reported at least 25 deaths after a flooded river surged into communities. Local officials also confirmed three additional fatalities in other areas.
Jamaica has also borne the brunt of Melissa’s fury. Initially, three deaths were reported last week during preparations for the hurricane.
However, the Minister of Local Government and Community Development has since confirmed at least four direct storm-related deaths in St. Elizabeth Parish.
The Jamaican Constabulary Force further announced on Thursday that eight more fatalities were recorded across Westmoreland, St. James, and Hanover.
The Dominican Republic also reported at least one death as Hurricane Melissa passed near Hispaniola over the weekend.
Ferocious winds and torrential rains lashed Jamaica, leaving widespread destruction in their wake. As residents emerged from their shelters, the scale of the devastation became starkly apparent, particularly in numerous parishes requiring immediate aid.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray, reporting from Jamaica since before the hurricane’s historic landfall, has witnessed firsthand the unimaginable destruction. In the Catherine Hall neighborhood of Montego Bay on Wednesday, Ray described streets choked with mud and dazed residents navigating the thick slurry, searching for their homes and missing loved ones.
“Three children I rescued last night,” one woman recounted to Ray, explaining that their parents had “flung them over the wall” to her as floodwaters rapidly rose. “I took the kids in there in my house now.
I don’t know where the parents are.” The woman confirmed the children she rescued are safe.
However, supplies are critically low. Another woman, speaking to Ray amidst the debris, pleaded for food and water.
“That’s one of the biggest things,” she emphasized. “If we can get some food and water right now, because we don’t know what’s going to happen.
We don’t have running water. It’s crazy.”
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, stated that 170 communities have been moderately or severely impacted by flooding and landslides.
The record-breaking hurricane also inflicted significant damage on Jamaica’s airport infrastructure. While Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston sustained no major damage, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay was heavily impacted.
Jamaica’s Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, reported major damage at some gates, though others sustained minimal damage and will require fewer repairs.
Minister Vaz announced that the first relief flight landed in Kingston on Wednesday afternoon, with commercial flights resuming Thursday morning. Ian Flemming International Airport in Ocho Rios also resumed commercial flights on Thursday morning. As of Thursday, all three international airports were open for relief flights, and commercial flights at Montego Bay are anticipated to resume as early as Friday.
As Jamaicans survey the destruction, they face the daunting task of navigating streets littered with debris from destroyed homes and utility poles. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, was among the government officials actively involved in clearing debris and meeting with affected residents. He described the community of Windsor as “in bad shape” and pledged to work with residents to ensure safe housing.
International aid is beginning to pour into the region. The U.S.
Department of State announced on Wednesday the deployment of a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and activated U.S.-based Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to support recovery efforts. The U.S.
Embassy in Jamaica confirmed that President Donald Trump authorized “immediate U.S. response,” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio deploying teams to assess needs and provide search and recovery assistance. The State Department is collaborating with United Nations agencies and other organizations to deliver essential food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelters, and search and rescue support.
Prior to Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area and reinstated an order to prevent price gouging. On Wednesday morning, Holness announced that the “all clear” had been given, allowing utility companies to begin power restoration and critical infrastructure crews to mobilize for recovery efforts.
As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 542,000 people were without power. Officials from Jamaica Public Service (JPS) cautioned that restoration efforts would be extensive.
“We know you’re waiting for power, and we know that wait is hard,” JPS stated, explaining that hundreds of crews are currently conducting critical damage assessments to determine the full scope of repairs needed and realistic timelines for restoration. “We need to see the full picture so we can plan for the work ahead and to give you real answers about when your area will be restored.”