Jamaica declared disaster zone following Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica has been declared a disaster zone following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm—one of the most powerful ever recorded in the Atlantic. The hurricane devastated large parts of the island, leaving widespread damage to homes, hospitals, infrastructure, and critical communications, with roughly three-quarters of the island currently suffering from power outages and significant flooding reported in several parishes.

Extent of the Damage

The southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth is reportedly underwater, with blocked roads, downed utility poles, and major damage to the sole public hospital in the region. Floodwaters have reached the rooftops of two-storey homes in central Jamaica, and many residential, commercial, and school properties have been damaged. Communications across the island are also severely disrupted, making it difficult for authorities to assess the full scale of the disaster.

Local and International Response

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has activated emergency disaster protocols, enabling the government to tap into disaster risk funds, insurance protections, and international support for immediate relief and recovery. The government is working with agencies including the National Works Agency, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Red Cross, and international responders to restore essential services and begin assessments.

Approximately 15,000 people sought shelter overnight, and thousands more may need emergency assistance as initial evacuations reached around 28,000 residents. The UK government has mobilised £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid and deployed technical specialists, including theRoyal Navy ship HMS Trent, to help coordinate relief operations and assistBritish nationals stranded on the island.

Casualties and Current Situation

Despite extensive destruction, there are currently no confirmed fatalities in Jamaica, though authorities, including the prime minister, warn that loss of life is likely given the intensity of the storm. At least three hurricane-related deaths have been reported in the region (including Haiti and the Dominican Republic), but conditions in Jamaica remain too severe for thorough casualty and damage assessment.

Thousands of tourists are stranded in Jamaica due to airport closures and impassable roads, but efforts are underway to reopen airports and restore transport links by Thursday.

What’s Next

-Recovery operations are ongoing, but humanitarian organisations warn the situation remains critical for up to 1.5 million people directly affected, with disrupted access to food, clean water, and medical care. International relief is being coordinated to provide emergency supplies and support to the most vulnerable communities on the island.

Jamaica’s government has urged all residents and foreign visitors to register with local authorities for updates and support as restoration efforts accelerate. There is no doubt that Jamaica faces immense challenges in the aftermath of HurricaneMelissa, but local and international responders are mobilised for both immediate relief and longer-term rebuilding.

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How climate change affected Melissa’s growth

Hurricane Melissa is the most powerful hurricane to have ever hit Jamaica. But why did Melissa get so powerful and what were the conditions that allowed it to develop so quickly?

Exceptionally Warm Waters:

Ocean temperatures around Jamaica were up to 3°C above the long-term average due to climate change, delivering extra heat and energy to the storm system. As hurricanes act as "heat engines," warmer water allows them to become much stronger and more destructive.

Slow Movement:

Melissa moved unusually slowly over the Caribbean (about 5km/h), which allowed it to linger and extract more heat and moisture from the ocean, leading to relentless strengthening and heavier rainfall in affected regions.

High Atmospheric Moisture:

Increased water vapour, linked to climate change, fuelled heavier rain and more intense convection, amplifying the storm's wind speeds and rainfall.

Climate Change:

Scientists have noted that the rapid intensification of hurricanes is becoming more common. Atlantic hurricanes are now twice as likely to strengthen dramatically within short periods compared to past decades, with a direct link to global warming and shifting ocean patterns. If HurricaneMelissa had formed decades ago over cooler oceans, it would have been unable to intensify so quickly or sustain its peak strength.

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