Jamaica is grappling with unprecedented devastation as Hurricane Melissa, the first Category 5 hurricane to directly hit the island, leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm has already claimed at least seven lives across the region, with three fatalities in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Hundreds of thousands are without power, and the Red Cross estimates that up to 1.5 million people could be affected. The Jamaican government has initiated rescue operations, but the extreme weather conditions have severely hampered efforts. Evan Thompson, Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, highlighted the challenges faced by emergency responders, noting that helicopters and coastguards cannot operate in such severe weather. Despite these obstacles, rescue teams managed to evacuate an elderly couple to safety and conducted search and rescue missions in Manderville. Dezmond Mckenzie, Minister of Local Government & Community Development, emphasized the government’s proactive planning, drawing lessons from past hurricanes like Beryl and Gilbert. He commended the team working tirelessly in the command center, gathering critical data to coordinate relief efforts. As the storm continues to wreak havoc, Jamaica remains on high alert, with rescue operations poised to intensify once conditions improve.