Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica has been declared a national disaster zone following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded.
At least three people have been confirmed dead ahead of the Category 5 hurricane’s arrival, though officials warn that the full extent of casualties remains unknown.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa ranks among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history and is the most powerful storm to ever strike Jamaica since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.
The hurricane slammed into the island’s southern coast shortly after midday local time, packing sustained winds of up to 185 mph and unleashing torrential rains that triggered massive flooding. Entire towns are submerged, and critical infrastructure—including several hospitals—has been destroyed.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness formally declared the entire island a disaster area, urging residents to remain indoors amid ongoing threats of flooding and landslides. Despite the storm’s gradual weakening, severe weather continues to batter parts of the country.
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the NHC warned, with Director Michael Brennan noting that winds could intensify again, potentially reaching 200 mph.
The Red Cross estimates that as many as 1.5 million people could be affected by what it called “the storm of the century.”
For residents, the devastation is personal and profound. Lisa Sangster, a 30-year-old communications specialist from Kingston, recounted the destruction of her home:
“Parts of our roof were blown off, other sections caved in, and the entire house was flooded. Our outdoor kitchen, dog kennel, and animal pens were all destroyed.”
Authorities say a full damage assessment could take days as power and communications remain largely down across the island.
Jamaica’s Climate Change Minister described Melissa’s impact as “catastrophic,” citing flooded homes, crippled infrastructure, and damaged hospitals.
Residents in rural parishes fear the worst. Mathue Tapper, 31, said those in Kingston were fortunate compared to communities in the island’s west.
“My heart goes out to folks living on the western end of the island,” he said.
Though Melissa has weakened to a Category 4 hurricane, it remains dangerously strong, with 150 mph winds continuing to ravage parts of southwestern Jamaica. Communities in St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, and St James are inundated with floodwaters.
At least four hospitals have sustained significant damage, forcing staff and patients to relocate to higher floors. Health officials have suspended outpatient and elective services, placing all facilities in emergency mode.
The roof of St Elizabeth Technical High School was partially torn off, while officials in Black River, the parish capital, described the situation as “deteriorating by the minute.”
Nationwide red hurricane warnings remain in effect until midnight, with meteorologists predicting hurricane-force conditions to persist into tomorrow.
Melissa is expected to cut diagonally across the island—from St Elizabeth parish in the south to St Ann in the north—before moving offshore. Forecasters also warn of a life-threatening storm surge reaching up to 13 feet along the southern coast.
