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Death toll climbs in Jamaica as country struggles with devastation from
ST. ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – The full extent of the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa is only beginning to emerge a week after the record-breaking storm swept through western Jamaica, leaving widespread devastation in its wake.
Jamaican authorities reported Monday that at least 32 people have died in the storm, with an additional eight unconfirmed deaths under investigation, as relief teams reach the hardest-hit communities. Neighboring Haiti has also suffered, with floods linked to Melissa claiming at least 31 lives, according to the country’s Civil Protection Department.
Emergency supplies and fuel began reaching Westmoreland Parish on Sunday, aided by a U.S. State Department Disaster Relief Task Force. The hurricane’s eyewall, carrying winds up to 185 mph at landfall, flattened homes and infrastructure across Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and St. James Parishes. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with international teams assisting in locating survivors.
In Black River, one of the towns closest to where Melissa made landfall, roads were blocked by downed power lines, and residents reported complete destruction of their homes. “My five kids are homeless,” a local mother said. Experts noted the storm’s winds stripped vegetation from the mountains, highlighting the hurricane’s extraordinary strength.
Much of western Jamaica remains without power, and aid is arriving slowly from government agencies, NGOs, and international partners. The Jamaican Defence Force conducted helicopter food drops and medical airlifts over the weekend, while Prime Minister Andrew Holness met with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to coordinate regional relief efforts. Holness described the destruction as “unlike anything we have seen in decades.”
Storm surge flooding persists in communities around Montego Bay, and several hospitals and health clinics have reported damage or remain closed, leaving thousands without access to medical care. The U.S. has provided an initial $11 million in assistance, supplying food for 40,000 people, installing six water treatment systems, and providing emergency shelter materials. A U.S. Task Force, including helicopters and first responders, arrived in Kingston on Saturday to support relief operations.
Hurricane Melissa, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, is tied with Dorian, Wilma, Gilbert, and the Labor Day storm for the second-strongest winds recorded in an Atlantic hurricane. Officials say the storm’s combination of strength and timing made its impact especially devastating, and relief teams are working to establish a forward operating base in the severely damaged western region.
Officials warn that thousands of Jamaicans remain in urgent need of water, food, and other essential supplies as recovery efforts continue across the island.
