Disasters Struck

Hurricane Melissa Makes Its Destructive Path Through Jamaica

Photo from Heute.at /  CC BY-SA 4.0 

On Oct. 28, at 1 p.m., Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5, making it the strongest hurricane to hit the island. The next morning, on Oct. 29, Melissa then made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3. 

Category 5 hurricanes are extremely devastating and extremely scary for those in their projected path. These strong hurricanes bring catastrophic potential for destruction, with winds over 150 mph and storm surge greater than 18 feet. These winds and surges guarantee widespread destruction to structures, roads and electrical grids. Category 5 hurricanes are estimated to need a year or more of cleanup, as flooding and debris make cleanup efforts nearly impossible soon after the hurricane passes. 

Hurricane Melissa was labeled “extremely dangerous” when entering Cuba, causing severe flooding and destroying thousands of houses. Thousands were left without power, with destroyed homes and fields covered with debris. 

Rescue and recovery operations were forced to pause relief efforts because of the numerous power outages and blocked roads. The country’s minister, Desmond McKenzie, said that over 170 communities were affected by the storm and are in need of help. 

“We have never had a Category 5 hurricane in our country,” Jamaican Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dana Mirris Dixon said at a news conference. “The devastation in the west is unimaginable.”

By Thursday, Oct. 30, the death toll in Jamaica was at least 19 people and is expected to rise as the search continues; in Haiti, the toll was already at 30. 

“We do expect that number will change today,” Dixon said. “Every single life that is lost is a huge tragedy, and so I know that these numbers are distressing, but know that we’re doing our best to retrieve the bodies and provide support to those families that need it.” 

Most of the island's electricity is still out as residents try to salvage their homes before flooding can cause even more damage. All across the county, people are in desperate need of aid as food and water become increasingly more scarce. 

Early Nov. 1 morning, a flight carrying British aid from the UK arrived in Jamaica. It brought more than 3,000 shelter kits as part of the British regional emergency package. The package was funded by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, along with many others who donated, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Distribution of these kits however has been halted, similar to relief efforts, because of flooding and landslides.