WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has announced significant progress in restoring electricity to areas devastated by Hurricane Melissa. As of Sunday, approximately 74% of affected customers have had their power reinstated, according to a media briefing held in Negril. Hugh Grant, President and CEO of JPS, highlighted the challenges posed by the Category 5 hurricane, which brought winds of 185 miles per hour to a grid designed for a Category 3 storm. Initially, over 540,000 customers were left without service, but efforts have now restored power to around 360,000, leaving fewer than 180,000 still in the dark. Key areas such as Hanover and Negril were re-energized three days ahead of schedule, with critical facilities like the Royalton Negril, Riu, Margaritaville, and the Negril town center now operational. JPS aims to restore power to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital by the second week of December. In Trelawny, power has been restored to the Falmouth Public General Hospital, the National Water Commission Martha Brae Treatment Plant, the Cruise Pier, and several hotels. Montego Bay in St James has also seen progress, with the Sangster International Airport, the University of the West Indies Western Campus, and hotels like Sandals and Riu now receiving electricity. St Mary and Portland have achieved 86% and 83% restoration rates, respectively, while St Ann, Clarendon, and Manchester are on track for 75% restoration by mid-December. However, St Ann remains particularly challenging due to severe damage to the transmission network.