Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica
Jamaica is in desperate need of resources and aid amidst the destruction caused
Photo courtesy of the National Hurricane Center/Wikimedia Commons
Hurricane Melissa made a devastating impact on Jamaica when it made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28, 2025 and was “the most powerful hurricane to ever strike the island nation,” according to USA Today. The storm consisted of turbulent winds and rain as it moved over the island. Many have been left homeless or living in shelters following the destruction.
The storm made landfall with winds of around 185 mph, destroying the island. A hospital worker located in St. Elizabeth Parish said, “It was the most terrifying experience in all my life…It is beyond imagining. At one point it was as if missiles were blowing through the glass.”
Melissa moved very slowly over Jamaica, further intensifying the damage. The hurricane also rapidly increased in magnitude leading up to its landfall, leaving many not prepared for such a dangerous hurricane. Residents had still been repairing damage caused by last year’s Hurricane Beryl prior to Hurricane Melissa’s landfall. Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, commented, “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a category 5…The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge.”
Residents are now dealing with the aftermath of the storm, especially storm surge flooding, in some cases rising as high as 13 feet. Jamaica has also experienced landslides caused by the mass amounts of rainfall, with some rural areas receiving 49 inches. Emergency officials have been unable to enter some areas of the island destroyed by the hurricane and have been struggling to send out resources, according to the BBC.
Officials are still finding out the full extent of the damage on the island since communication and power lines were destroyed during the hurricane. It has been reported that the western areas of Jamaica have faced some of the most severe damage, especially those alongside bodies of water. Holness said, “Recovery will take time, but the government is fully mobilized…Relief supplies are being prepared, and we are doing everything possible to restore normalcy quickly.”
The U.S., alongside other nations, have arranged for aid to be sent over. Jamaica received $11 million from the U.S., which was used for food and immediate repairs. On Nov. 2, Jamaica received “immediate aid supplies and fuel… [in] Westmoreland Parish with the help of a U.S. State Department Disaster Relief Task Force,” as reported by Fox Weather. The task force is also assisting in search and rescue missions.
Several healthcare centers are not available because of storm destruction. Ivonne Rodríguez-Wiewall, Executive Advisor for the Caribbean at Direct Relief said, “At least four hospitals have reported infrastructure damage and many health clinics remain closed, which is a serious concern, as thousands of people are unable to access essential medical services.” During the storm, healthcare workers continued to treat patients—even after losing power.
In the wake of the damage from last year’s Hurricane Beryl and the destruction caused by Melissa, Jamaica Red Cross spokesperson, Esther Pinnock, commented, "Emotionally and from a mental perspective, yes, we are just rebuilding our livelihood, and now we have to start all over again.”
After hitting Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa weakened to a Category 3 and then wreaked havoc across Cuba. Many more have lost their homes and businesses during the hurricane and its aftermath. Jamaican officials are still attempting to get an official death toll—it is currently rising as recovery continues.