St James, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a stark trail of destruction along the Elegant Corridor, stretching from the western airport to Iberostar in the east. Numerous properties, including the upscale Iberostar and Jewel Grande resorts, have suffered significant roof damage. Rehabilitation efforts are currently underway at Catalonia, another affected property. The shopping village opposite Catalonia has also experienced substantial damage, with several shops impacted by the storm. The health care facility, Hospiten, saw sections of its roof torn off during the tempest. While flooding was reported in some areas, the waters have since receded, leaving behind muddy patches along the roadway. The storm also brought down trees and power lines, disrupting traffic and hindering daily commuters. Many of the stately palm trees that once lined the road have been broken, bent, or stripped of their leaves, rendering them unrecognizable. Despite the visible devastation, the full extent of the damage to Jamaica’s primary tourism belt remains uncertain, as assessments are still ongoing to determine the overall impact.
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Israel launches emergency response after record-breaking hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica
In the wake of the unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, IsraAID, Israel’s foremost independent humanitarian organization, has swiftly launched an emergency response initiative. The Category 5 hurricane, the most powerful ever recorded in Jamaica and the region, made landfall in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday, unleashing sustained winds of 185 mph, torrential rains, and a 10-foot storm surge. The storm wreaked havoc across the island’s southwestern coast, causing widespread destruction before weakening and moving northward.
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King Charles to strip Andrew of royal titles
In a significant move, King Charles III has officially stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and privileges. The decision, announced by the palace on Thursday, marks a dramatic shift in the royal family’s handling of the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. The statement declared, ‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.’ Consequently, Prince Andrew will now be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a clear departure from his previous royal status. Additionally, he will vacate his long-standing residence within the grounds of Windsor Castle. This decision comes in the wake of renewed public outrage over allegations made by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s primary accusers, which Prince Andrew has consistently denied. The palace’s action underscores the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from the scandal and maintain its public image.
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#MelissaAftermath: Some health centres reopen; hospitals in emergency mode
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has announced the reopening of numerous health centers across Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas as of Thursday. This marks a significant step in restoring healthcare services following recent disruptions. In Kingston and St. Andrew, facilities such as Alpha Dental, Bull Bay Health Centre, and the Community Health & Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies are now operational. Similarly, in St. Catherine, centers like Barton’s Health Centre, Bridgeport Dental Clinic, and Greater Portmore Health Centre have resumed services. St. Thomas residents can now access care at Morant Bay Health Centre, Llandewey Health Centre, and others. All centers are open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Additionally, SERHA confirmed that full services are being offered at five major hospitals, including the Kingston Public Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital. However, other hospitals remain in emergency mode, focusing solely on critical and life-saving care.
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#MelissaAftermath: Trelawny police clear fallen trees after ‘devastating impact’ in parish
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Trelawny, Jamaica, witnessed a significant police presence on Wednesday as officers worked tirelessly to clear the extensive damage left by the storm. A dedicated team of 30 police personnel, under the leadership of Superintendent Velonique Campbell, took to the streets armed with chainsaws and machetes to remove fallen trees that had obstructed major roadways.
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#MelissaAftermath: Cayman Islands pledges over US$1m in aid to Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant show of regional solidarity, the Cayman Islands Government has committed US$1.2 million in essential supplies to aid Jamaica’s recovery from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on Tuesday. Premier André Ebanks announced the aid package during a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the historical support Jamaica provided to the Cayman Islands during their own crisis following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The donation includes critical relief items, which will be shipped directly to Jamaica. Additionally, Premier Ebanks, accompanied by a delegation of ministers, brought US$200,000 worth of supplies for immediate distribution. ‘On behalf of myself, the Government, and the ministers here, including Minister Nick DaCosta and the leader of the Opposition, Cayman stands with Jamaica,’ Ebanks declared. The aid will bolster Jamaica’s ongoing recovery efforts, as the nation faces widespread power outages, infrastructure damage, and displacement across multiple parishes. Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s Information Minister, expressed profound gratitude, noting that the donation was unexpected but deeply appreciated.
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Jah Niceness releases ‘Vanilla Coffee’ on old school-inspired riddim
In an industry where artists often rush to capitalize on trending beats, Jah Niceness stands out for his meticulous approach to music creation. The Orlando-based singer recently collaborated with Riddim N Nice Productions, crafting the track ‘Vanilla Coffee’ after being inspired by an old-school flavored beat. Produced by Henry Bell, the song was released in late September, marking Jah Niceness’ third release of the year, following ‘Power Play’ and ‘Heart A Love.’
Jah Niceness emphasizes that his creative process is driven by the vibe, groove, and energy of a beat, as well as its chords, arrangement, and structure. Even if a beat becomes a hit, he remains unbothered by rejecting it if it doesn’t align with his artistic standards. Over the past four years, he has recorded numerous songs for various producers, with a significant portion of his work tied to Jason Bromfield of Open Doors Records, also based in Orlando.
Their collaborations include ‘Trap,’ a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Trapped,’ released in 2024, and Jah Niceness’ fourth album, ‘Nah Diss Nuh Man,’ produced by Bromfield in 2022. Jah Niceness’ selective approach underscores his commitment to quality and authenticity in an industry often dominated by haste and commercial pressures.
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Furness Group lends helping hand to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica
In the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28, the Furness Trinidad Group has mobilized urgent relief efforts. Through its food distribution arm, Furness Shipping & Marketing Limited, the group has dispatched essential canned food items, including corn, peas, carrots, red beans, and chickpeas, to support the affected population. The hurricane, described as the ‘storm of the century,’ caused unprecedented devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming at least 34 lives and leaving widespread destruction in its path. With sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) at its peak, Hurricane Melissa surpassed the intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. William A Ferreira, Chairman and CEO of the Furness Group, expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life and destruction, while emphasizing solidarity with the people of Jamaica. He highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people, stating that this disaster marks a new chapter rather than the end of their story. Ferreira also praised the dedicated efforts of his team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the timely delivery of aid despite the challenging circumstances. The Furness Group’s initiative underscores the importance of collective support in times of crisis, offering hope and essential resources to those affected by this historic natural disaster.
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Caribbean Airlines resumes Jamaica flights after hurricane disruption
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has officially resumed its operations between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and Jamaica, starting October 30, following the reopening of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The airport had been temporarily closed due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which swept through the northern Caribbean earlier this week. The airline announced the resumption in a statement on October 29, detailing that the initial non-stop return service would operate between Port of Spain and Kingston. Flight BW414 departed Trinidad at 12 pm on October 30, arriving in Jamaica at 2 pm, while the return flight, BW415, left Kingston at 3:15 pm and landed in Trinidad at 7:15 pm. Regular services are set to fully resume from October 31. Tickets for these flights are now available for purchase through the airline’s website, mobile app, and authorized travel agents. Additionally, CAL’s reservations teams are assisting passengers whose travel plans were disrupted between October 24 and 30 due to the suspension of operations caused by the hurricane. The airline emphasized that the decision to resume flights was made after receiving confirmation from PAC Kingston Airport that the facility was safe for commercial operations. Hurricane Melissa had forced the closure of several regional airports and led to widespread flight cancellations across the Caribbean.
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#MelissaAftermath: JDF mobilises Jamaica National Reserve to support recovery efforts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has activated the entire first class of the Jamaica National Reserve (JNR). Effective Thursday, October 30, 2025, all reserve members are required to report to their designated duty stations. This mobilization is a critical component of the nation’s comprehensive response and recovery strategy following the widespread destruction caused by the hurricane. Reserve personnel will play a pivotal role in relief distribution, search and rescue operations, logistics management, and the safeguarding of vulnerable areas. Their efforts will be coordinated in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other governmental bodies. The activation, authorized by Governor General Sir Patrick Allem, is part of Jamaica’s national emergency management framework, designed to protect lives, secure property, and expedite the restoration of normalcy in storm-affected communities.