Hurricane Mellissa has caused devastation in the Caribbean, with the death toll reaching 80. The powerful category five hurricane struck Jamaica on October 28, bringing destructive winds of 185mph that tore off roofs, damaged infrastructure, and left streets flooded. In the aftermath, 72% of Jamaicans were left without electricity, and certain areas became inaccessible due to debris blocking roads.
The hurricane’s impact extended across the Caribbean, resulting in 32 fatalities in Jamaica, 43 in Haiti, four in the Dominican Republic, and one in Cuba. The death toll is expected to climb as recovery operations progress. Jamaica, already reeling from the effects of Hurricane Beryl last year, now faces additional challenges as Hurricane Mellissa’s destruction threatens to raise food prices and disrupt vital industries like tourism.
Estimates from US forecaster AccuWeather suggest that Hurricane Mellissa inflicted damages in the Caribbean ranging from $48 billion to $52 billion. Furthermore, data analytics firm Verisk projected insured losses in Jamaica to fall between $2.2 billion and $4.2 billion. Local Jamaican Councillor Kenord Grant of St Catherine highlighted the ongoing struggles as the nation works towards recovery.
Expressing condolences for the hardest-hit area of St Elizabeth, Councillor Grant emphasized the importance of revitalizing agricultural efforts to mitigate economic setbacks. He also warned of potential repercussions on various sectors of the Jamaican economy, particularly in community tourism and popular tourist destinations like Montego Bay and St. Ann.
Grant affirmed a unified commitment from both political parties to rebuild Jamaica, emphasizing the shared goal of restoring the nation. Efforts are underway to ensure a collaborative approach between the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) in the reconstruction process.
To support Jamaica in its recovery from the hurricane, the Jamaican government has established a disaster relief website, supportjamaica.gov.jm, where individuals can contribute directly to relief efforts.
