Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has designated the country as a “disaster area” after Hurricane Melissa hit with “devastating impact.”
The Category 5 storm made landfall on Tuesday with 185 mph winds, damaging hospitals and property, and leaving some communities underwater.
Hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans have been left without power, and the full damage cannot be assessed until daylight hits.
Highlights
- Jamaica declared a disaster area after Hurricane Melissa struck with 185 mph winds, causing widespread destruction and flooding.
- Seven deaths linked to Hurricane Melissa were reported in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica and three in Haiti.
- Hundreds of thousands in Jamaica are without power as authorities begin damage assessment and mobilize relief efforts.
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm
Image credits: X
Holness told CNN there have been no reported fatalities so far but added that due to the severity of the storm, “we are expecting that there would be some loss of life.”
There have been seven reported deaths linked to the buildup of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean so far, including three in Haiti and three in Jamaica.
Image credits: Jamaica Constabulary Force
One person was killed in the Dominican Republic, and another remains missing.
“Our country has been ravaged by Hurricane Melissa but we will rebuild and we will do so even better than before,” Holness wrote on X.
“Tonight I encourage Jamaicans to be hopeful. I know many, especially those in the worst affected parishes, are feeling disheartened.”
“Your homes may have been damaged or destroyed and your communities and towns no longer look the same. I know your pain and I feel your loss.
“We are mobilizing quickly to start the relief and recovery efforts and we will be there with you every step of the way.”
Authorities are expecting fatalities to be reported
President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the U.S. is prepared to help Jamaica deal with the aftermath of the storm if needed.
“We’re watching it closely, and we’re prepared to move,” Trump said as he left Japan for South Korea. “You know, it’s doing tremendous damage as we speak.”
Image credits: Jamaica Constabulary Force
He added, “It’s just, it’s a stage five. What can I say? You don’t see stages like that. You don't see fives. You see fours and threes.”
Hurricane Melissa has since made landfall in Cuba, where it was downgraded to a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said over 735,000 people had been evacuated and that he expected it to be “a very difficult night for all of Cuba.”
Images show the destruction caused by the storm so far
Image credits: Jamaica Constabulary Force
Image credits: NOAA via Getty Images
Image credits: X