Jamaica devastated as Hurricane Melissa brings record 280 km/h winds and flooding
Jamaica is facing one of the worst natural disasters in its history as Hurricane Melissa made landfall overnight, unleashing record-breaking winds and torrential rain. The Category 5 storm struck the island early Tuesday morning with sustained speeds of up to 280 kilometers per hour, tearing down power lines, flooding streets, and forcing mass evacuations. Officials confirmed it is the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica directly. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of national emergency, urging residents to remain indoors and follow government instructions. The situation was reported by G.Business, citing nume.ch.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm’s core is moving at just four kilometers per hour, meaning it could hover over the island for an extended period, bringing prolonged rainfall and destruction. Meteorologists warned of storm surges up to four meters along the southern coast and landslides in the mountainous interior. The parishes of Westmoreland, Saint Elizabeth, and Manchester are among the hardest hit, with major roads blocked by debris.
More than 50,000 homes are without electricity, and hospitals in Kingston and Montego Bay are running on backup generators. Schools and churches have been converted into emergency shelters, while rescue teams battle fierce winds and rising water to reach stranded residents. The Red Cross described the situation as “potentially unprecedented,” warning of a humanitarian crisis if access to drinking water and food cannot be restored soon.
Some locals have refused to evacuate despite government warnings. “I’m not leaving my home,” said fisherman Roy Brown from Port Royal in an interview with AFP. “You can’t run from death.” Others cited poor conditions in state shelters as the reason for staying.
Prime Minister Holness appealed for international assistance, stating that Jamaica is not equipped to handle a storm of this magnitude. “Melissa is unlike anything we’ve faced before – slower, stronger, and more unpredictable,” he said.
Neighboring countries are also bracing for impact. The hurricane is expected to move toward Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the coming days. In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, at least four people have already died from flooding and storm-related accidents.
In Jamaica, authorities confirmed three fatalities linked to preparation efforts, including workers killed by falling trees while securing power lines. Several rivers have overflowed, and entire villages are submerged. Emergency services warn that rebuilding the island could take months.
Experts say Hurricane Melissa underscores the growing impact of climate change on tropical weather systems. Rising sea temperatures are fueling slower and more powerful storms, increasing the devastation for vulnerable island nations like Jamaica.
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