Hurricane Melissa, one of the most ferocious hurricanes ever recorded, unleashed its fury on Jamaica’s south-western coast on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With maximum wind speeds reaching 185 miles per hour (300 kilometres per hour), the storm obliterated homes, uprooted trees, and severed power lines across the island. Torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides, compounding the devastation. Even as wind speeds subsided to 150 miles per hour, the hurricane continued to inundate communities, causing widespread damage that may take days to fully assess, particularly as communication networks remain largely incapacitated. In response to the catastrophe, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area under the Disaster Risk Management Act. The Government also enacted the Trade (Sale of Goods During Period of Declaration of Threatened Area) (Tropical Storm Melissa) Order, 2025, which took immediate effect. These measures, Holness emphasized, provide the Government with the necessary tools to manage its ongoing response to the crisis. Hurricane Melissa now stands as the most destructive hurricane to ever strike Jamaica, marking a grim milestone in the nation’s history.
标签： Jamaica
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WATCH: JDF deployed to assist residents of St Elizabeth
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and emergency medical teams were mobilized on Wednesday to provide critical assistance to residents in St Elizabeth. However, their efforts have been significantly hampered by extensive debris blocking the Santa Cruz main road, a vital artery for rescue operations. Approximately nine ambulances were observed en route to Black River Hospital, where plans were in motion to relocate patients to Mandeville Regional Hospital due to the storm’s impact. Among the hardest-hit residents is Celia Coke, a local business owner from Wilton, St Elizabeth. Her shop and bar, situated along the Gilnock main road near Santa Cruz, were utterly destroyed by the hurricane. Coke, who sold items such as jelly, molasses, and honey, lamented the total loss of her livelihood. Despite the overwhelming devastation, she expressed profound gratitude for her safety and appealed for assistance to rebuild her life and support her grandson. ‘Please, I’m asking for little help. Who can help me to build up back my life … I have my grandson to look bout, please and thanks,’ she said. Those wishing to offer support can reach her at 1 (876) 852-1459.
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Trump declares victory against climate ‘hoax’ after Bill Gates comments
In a recent development, former US President Donald Trump has proclaimed a triumph over what he labeled the ‘hoax’ of climate change. This declaration came after billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates stated that a warming planet would not lead to the end of civilization. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to assert, ‘I (WE!) just won the War on the Climate Change Hoax. Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue. It took courage to do so, and for that we are all grateful.’ Gates, in a detailed memo, acknowledged that while climate change poses ‘serious’ consequences, humanity would still ‘live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future.’ He emphasized that addressing global disease and poverty would better prepare the world’s poorest for the impacts of a warming climate. Gates also addressed potential criticism regarding his carbon footprint and defended his stance by highlighting significant progress in reducing emissions and expressing optimism about future technological advancements. Trump, a long-time skeptic of environmental issues, has consistently dismissed climate change, famously calling it the ‘greatest con job ever’ during a UN General Assembly speech in September. Since his return to power in January, following a successful 2024 election campaign heavily funded by the oil industry, Trump has rolled back numerous green policies.
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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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Clean up begins in Montego Bay
St James, Jamaica, has embarked on an extensive clean-up operation following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Since the early hours of Wednesday, firefighters have been actively working to clear debris and restore access to several key roads within the city. Concurrently, teams from the St James Municipal Corporation have been mobilizing across various neighborhoods to facilitate recovery efforts. In Montego Bay, limited vehicular traffic has resumed as residents begin their personal clean-up activities. However, areas such as Catherine Hall and Westgreen have faced severe flooding due to the swollen Pye River, leaving homes filled with mud and debris. Coastal communities like Mango Walk have been particularly hard-hit, with numerous houses losing their roofs. The aftermath has also seen downed trees, damaged solar panels, and other debris, prompting a large-scale clean-up initiative now underway in the western city.
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‘Poor’ PSG retain Ligue 1 lead despite stalemate and Doue injury
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) managed to retain their position at the top of Ligue 1 on Wednesday, despite a 1-1 draw against Lorient and a concerning injury to star forward Desire Doue. The 20-year-old, who recently returned to full fitness after a September injury, suffered a right thigh issue during the match, casting doubt on his availability for PSG’s upcoming Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on November 4. Doue, who scored twice in PSG’s recent 7-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, was seen leaving the stadium on crutches, avoiding putting weight on his injured leg. PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed concern, stating, ‘It’s always bad news when there are injuries. It’s a strange injury; I don’t know exactly his condition. I hope it’s not serious.’ Despite the setback, PSG remained atop the league table after Marseille’s 2-2 draw with Angers and Monaco’s 5-3 win over Nantes. Other results included Lens slipping to sixth after a 2-0 loss to Metz, Nice defeating Lille 2-0, and Strasbourg climbing to fourth with a 3-0 victory over Auxerre.
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$24-b payout
Jamaica is poised to receive a $150 million payout from its catastrophe bond, marking a historic activation of this financial safety net as the nation grapples with the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. Disaster modeller Chuck Watson of Enki Research estimates the storm’s damage between $5 billion and $16 billion, likening it to the catastrophic Hurricane Gilbert of 1988, which caused $7 billion in losses. Watson described Melissa as a worst-case scenario for the island, potentially doubling Gilbert’s impact.
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Santa Cruz resident says hometown is ‘unrecognisable’
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left the town of Santa Cruz in a state of utter devastation, with one resident describing the destruction as ‘unimaginable.’ Yushaine Morgan, a local attorney and lifelong resident, shared his heart-wrenching experience with Observer Online, emphasizing the profound impact of the storm on his community. Morgan, who was seen wearing an ‘I love Santa Cruz’ shirt, explained that the garment symbolized his enduring hope and resilience in the face of catastrophe. ‘What we endured last night and yesterday surpassed anything we could have imagined, no matter how dire our predictions,’ Morgan recounted. He painted a grim picture of the town’s current state, noting that entire sections are now unrecognizable. ‘Roads have been obliterated, countless homes and businesses destroyed, roofs torn off, and many have lost vehicles and livestock,’ he added. Despite the overwhelming devastation, Morgan expressed his unwavering commitment to his hometown, stating, ‘I have no desire of ever vacating.’ The community now faces the daunting task of rebuilding, with Morgan admitting uncertainty about where to begin the recovery process.
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Melissa is the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in 90 years—AFP
Hurricane Melissa has etched its name in meteorological history by matching the intensity of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, the most powerful storm ever to make landfall. According to an analysis of data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday with wind speeds nearing 300 kilometers per hour (185 mph) and an atmospheric pressure of 892 millibars, equalling the record set nearly a century ago. The Labor Day Hurricane devastated the Florida Keys in 1935 with similar ferocity, leaving a lasting mark on hurricane records. Melissa’s arrival underscores the growing intensity of tropical storms, a trend scientists attribute to climate change. While other storms, such as Typhoon Goni (2020) and Hurricane Patricia (2015), have recorded stronger winds or lower pressures, none have matched Melissa’s intensity at the moment of landfall. Melissa, the fifth Category 5 storm of 2025, surpassed Typhoon Ragasa, which struck East Asia earlier in the year, in both wind speed and pressure. After battering Jamaica, Melissa was downgraded to Category 3 as it moved toward Cuba. This event highlights the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events globally, driven by rising global temperatures.
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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.