Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica As Entire Island Declared Disaster Zone

All of Jamaica has been declared a disaster area following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa, a monstrous Category 5 storm that has left a trail of destruction across the island submerging towns, crippling hospitals, and cutting power to thousands.

At least three people have been confirmed dead before the hurricane’s landfall, though authorities fear the toll may rise as communication lines remain down and many regions are still cut off.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) described Melissa as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, and the most powerful to ever strike Jamaica since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.

Melissa roared ashore on the island’s southern coast just after midday Monday, packing winds of 185 mph and unrelenting rain that triggered catastrophic floods.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the island a national disaster zone, urging residents to remain sheltered amid warnings of continued flooding and landslides. “This is a national emergency,” he said, “and we must come together to protect lives.”

The NHC issued a dire warning, describing the storm as an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.” Director Michael Brennan said winds could have approached 200 mph at their peak, creating a “very dangerous scenario.”

The Red Cross estimates that up to 1.5 million people could be directly affected by what it called the “storm of the century.”

In Kingston, residents described scenes of chaos and despair. “Our roof was blown off, parts of the house caved in, and everything was flooded,” said Lisa Sangster, a 30-year-old communications specialist. “Our outdoor kitchen, dog kennel, and animal pens are gone destroyed.”

Authorities have reported widespread devastation:

Four hospitals have sustained serious damage, forcing evacuations.

Outpatient services and elective surgeries have been suspended nationwide.

Black River, the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish, is “deteriorating by the minute,” its mayor said.

Roads and bridges are blocked by fallen trees, floodwaters, and power lines.

35% of households are without electricity, and internet connectivity has dropped to just 42%.

The country’s Climate Change Minister described the hurricane’s impact as “catastrophic,” citing the collapse of key public infrastructure and the flooding of entire communities.

As of late Monday, Melissa had weakened slightly to a Category 4 storm, but still churned with deadly 150 mph winds as it moved northward across the island. Meteorologists expect the hurricane to exit Jamaica by way of St. Ann Parish, after slicing a diagonal path of destruction from St. Elizabeth in the south.

Forecasters warn of a life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet along the southern coast, with conditions expected to remain dangerous well into Tuesday.

With large parts of the country still incommunicado, the full scale of the disaster remains unclear but one thing is certain: Jamaica is facing one of the darkest chapters in its modern history.