Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Devastation and Urgent Recovery Needs

This is how Jamaica should look.

Communities across Jamaica are reeling from the ferocious blow delivered by Hurricane Melissa last month.

Jamaica Hurricane Melissa struck with unrelenting force, transforming vibrant parishes into scenes of chaos and heartbreak.

The storm slammed into the southwestern coast near New Hope on October 28, packing winds up to 185 miles per hour.

Entire neighborhoods in St Elizabeth vanished under floods and debris, while St James and Trelawny faced relentless landslides that cut off roads and homes.

Power grids collapsed, leaving thousands in darkness for weeks, and critical infrastructure like hospitals struggled amid evacuations and outages.

Recent assessments reveal a staggering toll: nearly 156,000 homes damaged or destroyed, with economic losses climbing to about 8.8 billion dollars.

This catastrophe has isolated communities, sparking a humanitarian push for aid and rebuilding.

Local leaders emphasize the long road ahead, as vegetation stripped bare signals years of environmental recovery.

Residents in Montego Bay and beyond share stories of survival, highlighting the urgent need for global support.

With flash floods and wind damage still fresh, Jamaica's spirit endures amid calls for resilient infrastructure.