The UK Government is arranging flights to assist British citizens in departing Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Officials are organizing aircraft to evacuate British nationals as the death toll from the catastrophic natural disaster continues to climb. Jamaica has reported five confirmed fatalities, while Haiti has recorded at least 20 deaths due to flooding triggered by the category five hurricane.
With wind speeds reaching 185mph, Hurricane Melissa stands as one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record. The UK has pledged £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Jamaica. Keir Starmer expressed shock at the footage depicting the destruction caused by the hurricane. The Prime Minister informed Members of Parliament that HMS Trent and specialized rapid deployment teams are positioned in the region to provide support.
Many individuals are stranded without power and facing infrastructure damage amid the floods. Although Hurricane Melissa has weakened to a category one storm, it is anticipated to bring additional strong winds and heavy rainfall.
In Jamaica, over 25,000 individuals sought refuge in shelters on Wednesday after the hurricane tore roofs off their homes. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s education minister, reported that 77% of the island was without electricity.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated, “Recovery will be a gradual process, but the government is fully engaged in mobilization efforts. Relief resources are being readied, and every possible measure is being taken to swiftly restore normalcy.”
Describing the devastation in Black River, a southwest coastal community, Holness noted, “Black River is essentially ground zero. Residents are still grappling with the aftermath of the destruction.”
Assessing the damage is complicated by widespread power outages and a complete communication blackout in certain areas, as explained by Richard Thompson, acting director general of Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, during an interview with the Nationwide News Network.
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