Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in Jamaican history, has left widespread destruction across the island, cutting power to nearly 75% of households and flooding major cities, including Montego Bay.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a disaster zone, warning of severe damage to homes, hospitals, and infrastructure. Winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) tore roofs from houses, uprooted trees, and split Montego Bay into two parts due to massive flooding.
Local officials compared the devastation to “an apocalypse movie,” as rescue teams struggle to reach trapped families in St Elizabeth, one of Jamaica’s most productive farming regions now submerged.
Meteorologists say the storm’s rapid intensification was fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters, linking it to the growing effects of climate change.
While communication remains crippled, residents and tourists recount terrifying experiences, describing flying debris, shattered windows, and roofs ripped apart overnight.
The Jamaican government hopes to access its catastrophe bond insurance to begin recovery efforts as the hurricane moves toward Cuba, now weakened to a Category 3 storm.
