On Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 storm, with sustained winds reaching up to 185 mph according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, well above the minimum 157 mph (252 kph) wind speed of a Category 5 storm, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.— the strongest storm ever recorded to hit Jamaica in modern history.
In the days since, the death toll in Jamaica has reached at least 19 confirmed fatalities, and officials warn the number is likely to rise as search and rescue teams access hard-to-reach areas.
The hardest-hit regions include the western and south-western parishes — notably around the coastal town of Black River and the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland — where entire neighbourhoods have lost roofs, roads have collapsed, and power and communications are largely knocked out. Some estimates reported up to 90 % of roofs gone in the Black River.
Meanwhile, more than 60% of the island remains without electricity, and many water systems are non-operational, complicating relief efforts and raising concerns about sanitation and diseases.
Government and relief response:
The Government of Jamaica has declared the entire island a disaster zone, enabling emergency powers and mobilising resources. The national disaster-management system has deployed military and rescue teams to clear blocked roads, reach isolated communities by air, and distribute food, water, and medical supplies.
Jamaica has also triggered a catastrophe-bond payout of US$150 million, which had been set up in advance of natural disasters — the funds are now available to support recovery efforts. Airports are reopening for relief flights: the main international airport near Kingston resumed operations, and cargo flights carrying aid have arrived.
Nonetheless, aid is still struggling to reach many remote communities because roads remain impassable and communications remain down.
Looking ahead:
The path to full recovery will be long. Homes must be rebuilt, infrastructure restored, and water and power systems fixed. The prime minister has emphasised restoring hospital services, power, and sanitation as immediate priorities. With so many still cut off and uncounted, the death toll is expected to climb further.
