The rural community of Grierfield in Moneague, St Ann, is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Among the affected residents is Garry Dawson, who, along with his neighbors, is racing against time to repair his roof before nightfall. The powerful winds not only tore off roofs but also destroyed furniture and other household essentials, leaving many counting the staggering costs of the disaster.
分类： society
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DPP defends lack of jail time for rich businessman
Bahamas Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier has defended the controversial decision to impose a non-custodial sentence on wealthy American businessman James Finkl, who was convicted of firearm-related offenses. Finkl, the former head of global steel giant Finkl Steel, admitted to bringing 14 firearms and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition into The Bahamas aboard his yacht in Bimini last week. Despite public outcry, Frazier emphasized that sentencing is based on individual case merits, not wealth or nationality. She highlighted Finkl’s medical issues as a key factor in the decision, stating that a prison sentence would have been impractical. Frazier also noted that mandatory minimum sentences for firearm offenses have been abolished, and fines have been imposed on Bahamians in similar cases when justified. The ruling has sparked debate, with some senior lawyers labeling it ‘highly irregular.’ Frazier cited a 2022 Court of Appeal case involving a diabetic American man, Ronald Ralph Moorhead Jr, whose prison sentence was reduced due to medical concerns. While the court acknowledged firearm offenses typically warrant jail time, it stressed that Moorhead’s case was exceptional and not a precedent. Frazier reiterated that magistrates retain discretion to impose non-custodial sentences when circumstances warrant, but custodial sentences remain the standard for such crimes.
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‘She gwaan bad’: Piggery resident says Hurricane Melissa destroyed his home
PORTLAND, Jamaica — Demani Campbell, a resident of Piggery in the Rio Grande Valley, Portland, is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which ravaged his home on Tuesday. The storm, which lasted approximately five hours, unleashed relentless winds that left a trail of destruction in its wake. Campbell recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the devastation became apparent only the following morning. ‘She gwaan bad. She rip up the place for about five hours straight, a just a continuous breeze. We did deh over deh a watch wah gwan but we couldn’t see on this side here so ah inna the morning when time we come up we see the destruction,’ Campbell told Observer Online on Wednesday. Despite the loss, Campbell expressed gratitude for his survival and is now focused on rebuilding his life. However, he remains uncertain about the government’s assistance process. ‘We ah look forward to picking up the pieces but we don’t know the process of the Government. We nuh move nothing yet because we want them see say we destroyed and would need help if anything,’ he added. The community now looks to local authorities for support in the recovery efforts.
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Neighbours help Tobago family after gas tank explodes
A potentially catastrophic incident unfolded in Bon Accord, Tobago, on October 26, when a defective LPG gas tank caused an explosion at the home of Tamecia Cox. The explosion occurred during the bustling carnival celebrations in Scarborough, but thanks to the quick actions of Cox’s family and the solidarity of her neighbors, disaster was averted. Cox, visibly relieved, recounted the harrowing experience in an interview on October 28. She and her family were in their kitchen on Gaskin Bay Road when the explosion ignited a sudden blaze. Fortunately, the house was equipped with two fire extinguishers, which her children knew how to use, slowing the fire’s spread. Cox emphasized the importance of community support, stating, ‘It pays to live good with people. Everybody in the community came out to help.’ Her daughter sustained minor burns, but the family emerged otherwise unharmed. Devon Thomas, a neighbor, was particularly praised for risking his life to remove the gas tank from the house. Cox also expressed gratitude to the Crown Point Fire Station and Police Station for their swift response. Tobago East MP David Thomas, a retired Assistant Chief Fire Officer, urged homeowners and businesses to exercise caution with gas cylinders, recalling a similar fatal incident four years ago. He explained that while gas tanks rarely explode, leaks can create highly volatile environments, especially when combined with flammable materials. Thomas stressed the importance of regular maintenance and vigilance to prevent such tragedies.
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Conditions ‘devastating’ in St Elizabeth, says Black River mayor
The parish of St Elizabeth in Jamaica is grappling with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as described by Black River Mayor Richard Solomon. The hurricane has left the region in a state of devastation, with severe damage to infrastructure and limited communication capabilities. Solomon emphasized that the term ‘catastrophic’ barely captures the extent of the destruction witnessed on the ground. Emergency and security forces are facing significant challenges in responding to the crisis due to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is currently immobilized and relies on Starlink satellite internet for communication. Solomon revealed that the local hospital has been ‘totally devastated,’ and police units, along with the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), are non-operational after being submerged during the hurricane. Rescue operations are currently impossible, and the situation is expected to worsen as the day progresses. Solomon urged residents to remain calm and assured them that efforts are being made to address the crisis. He appealed for external assistance, stressing that the parish urgently needs all the help it can get.
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Edge of disaster
Despite the ferocity of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica’s south-western region on Tuesday, the parish of St Thomas largely escaped severe damage. However, for residents living near the Plantain Garden River in Bath, the storm brought chaos and fear as landslides tore through the riverbank, threatening homes and livelihoods. A viral video on social media captured the dramatic evacuation of residents as sections of the riverbank collapsed, sweeping away a parked car in the process.
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WATCH: Manchester, St Elizabeth residents picking up the pieces
Residents of Manchester and St Elizabeth awoke early Wednesday to assess the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The storm left a chaotic scene of debris, uprooted trees, and downed powerlines strewn across roadways. Despite the destruction, locals were already mobilizing to clear paths for vehicles. Significant flooding was evident, with some roads still submerged, leaving certain areas in St Elizabeth completely cut off. In the Wilton community near Santa Cruz, one resident recounted having to swim to reach the main road. Cornell Williams, another local, described the hurricane as ‘the worst storm I’ve ever seen, worse than Gilbert,’ after losing his roof and seeing his belongings submerged. The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left communities grappling with the extensive damage and the daunting task of recovery.
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More than 500,000 JPS customers lose power
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, wreaked havoc across Jamaica on Tuesday, leaving more than 70% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers—over 500,000 households—without electricity by 3:00 pm. The hurricane made landfall at noon with unprecedented wind speeds exceeding 180 miles per hour, causing significant damage to the island’s transmission and distribution networks. JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant confirmed that central and western parishes were particularly hard-hit, with sections of the electrical grid requiring a complete rebuild. Despite efforts to prevent a total shutdown, the extent of the damage has made recovery a daunting task. JPS has mobilized its line workers, along with local and international contractors, to begin restoration efforts as soon as conditions permit. In less affected areas, the company plans to seek a partial all-clear from authorities to initiate assessments and repairs concurrently. Grant emphasized the complexity of power outages, explaining that damage in one area can disrupt supply in others, and urged customers to remain patient. JPS also issued a safety warning, advising residents to avoid downed power lines and poles, which may still be energized. The Jamaica Observer reported an incident involving an energized wire on Rosseau Road in St. Andrew, which remained unattended for hours, sparking frustration among locals. As Jamaica begins its recovery, JPS remains committed to restoring power while prioritizing the safety of its teams and the public.
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Minister McKenzie confirms severe damage to St James
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has disclosed that St James Parish experienced widespread devastation following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, McKenzie highlighted the overflow of the Barnett River in Montego Bay as one of the most critical incidents, with floodwaters reaching up to 16 feet in certain areas of the city. The affected zones encompass Westgate, Catherine Hall, Howard Cooke Boulevard, Freeport, Alice Eldemire Drive, and Barnett Street. McKenzie further elaborated that several public institutions sustained significant damage. The St James Infirmary and the St James Municipal Corporation’s building were inundated, with water impacting two floors. Additionally, Jarrett Park, which had been serving as a temporary shelter for the homeless, was flooded, necessitating the relocation of its residents. The St James High School and Sangster International Airport also reported damage. The minister has been in communication with officials from neighboring parishes, including Trelawny, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth, where distress calls have been predominant.
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‘We just have to help each other’
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Althea ‘Tia’ Brown, a shelter manager in Hayes, Clarendon, Jamaica, has been at the forefront of disaster response efforts, overseeing the safety and well-being of over 300 evacuees—the largest group she has managed in her years of service. For two consecutive nights, Brown barely slept, tirelessly working to ensure the needs of those displaced by the storm were met.