Montego Bay, St James, faced the brunt of Hurricane Melissa as the Category 5 storm wreaked havoc across the city on Tuesday. Among the hardest-hit locations was the iconic Pier One restaurant and bar, a beloved waterfront establishment. The hurricane’s fierce winds and relentless rain battered the shoreline, destroying parts of the building, including its famous sign. This incident echoed a previous storm in February 2024, which had already caused millions in damages to the same venue. As of Tuesday evening, the full extent of the destruction remained unassessed, but officials anticipate significant losses. The Rubis gas station on Howard Cooke Boulevard also sustained severe damage, alongside widespread reports of property destruction throughout the city. Montego Bay experienced extensive flooding, with Harbour and South streets submerged under several feet of water, rendering them impassable. Fallen trees and utility lines further complicated navigation, even for heavy-duty vehicles deployed for damage assessment. Mayor Richard Vernon described the initial impact as ‘rough,’ promising a thorough evaluation once the storm subsided. Reports of roofs being blown off in Mount Salem and other areas added to the devastation. The hurricane’s impact was felt as early as 3:00 am, with a Barnett Street building’s roof torn off and debris damaging vehicles at the Montego Bay Fire Station. Rising river levels due to continuous rainfall exacerbated the situation. Despite the chaos, residents were seen walking through the storm, while unconfirmed reports of looting emerged. A strong police and military presence was maintained throughout the day to ensure order.