In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jason Russell, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and operator of Pier 1, has called for a collective shift in focus from destruction to recovery and resilience. Speaking from beneath one of the few surviving palm trees at Pier 1, Russell emphasized the need for unity and action in the face of devastation. ‘We see the destruction… but I can’t dwell on all that has happened. We have to dwell on the recovery,’ he stated. Russell urged business owners to reopen where possible, restart operations, and assist their staff in returning to work. ‘Don’t let it cripple you. We’ve lost roofs, pets, cars, material things… but there’s a lot of hope. Recovery starts with us,’ he added. Pier 1 has already reopened with curbside service, providing meals and support as Montego Bay embarks on its rebuilding journey. ‘Let’s go, Mobay. Let’s lift and rise,’ Russell encouraged. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, made landfall in southwestern Jamaica last Tuesday, resulting in over 30 fatalities and leaving nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without power. Preliminary damage estimates range between US$6 billion and US$7 billion. Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that the storm severely impacted Jamaica’s productive belt, particularly the breadbasket parish of St Elizabeth, and disrupted the tourism corridor spanning from Westmoreland through St James, Trelawny, and St Ann. The hurricane caused extensive damage to housing, community infrastructure, commercial operations, and public utilities across multiple parishes.
‘Don’t let it cripple you’: Montego Bay Chamber President calls for business revival post-Melissa
