The parish of St Elizabeth has been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, with extensive infrastructural damage reported across the region. Essential facilities, including hospitals and police stations, have been significantly affected, leaving the community grappling with the aftermath. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government, provided a preliminary assessment during a press briefing with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management on Tuesday evening. He described the situation as dire, with St Elizabeth ‘under water’ and sections of Clarendon also experiencing severe conditions. The Santa Cruz infirmary was flooded, forcing the relocation of 50 residents to another section of the facility. The local fire brigade station in Santa Cruz was also inundated. Rescue operations faced immense challenges, particularly in Black River, where several families were trapped in their homes. McKenzie highlighted the difficulty of reaching those in need due to waist-high floodwaters and flying debris. While no fatalities were confirmed at the time, at least three families were stranded, including a firefighter who had gone to assist others. Black River Hospital suffered roof damage and a power outage, leading to the evacuation of 75 patients. The Black River police station also sustained structural damage. Superintendent Colridge Minto noted that many parish roads were impassable, with several families seeking refuge at the police station. Authorities remain hopeful but are bracing for further challenges as recovery efforts continue.