The death toll in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa has reached 28, as confirmed by the Caribbean nation's prime minister. The Category 5 hurricane, which made landfall on Tuesday, has also resulted in fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and significant damage across the Caribbean region. Access for emergency responders and aid agencies has been impeded in certain areas of Jamaica due to blocked roads, debris, and flooding.
Jamaica Impact
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced an increase in fatalities, confirming nine additional deaths on Saturday, with reports of further potential fatalities currently being verified. The full extent of the destruction in Jamaica has become clearer in recent days, following widespread communication and power outages across much of the island after the hurricane's landfall.
Communities in the western part of the island, including Black River and Montego Bay, have experienced the most severe destruction. Images indicate widespread damage, with buildings destroyed, debris on streets, and neighborhoods remaining submerged by floodwater.
The Red Cross reports that 72% of Jamaica's population is without electricity, and approximately 6,000 individuals are housed in emergency shelters. Jamaican officials have confirmed to AFP that multiple field hospitals are being established in the worst-affected western areas to provide medical treatment.
Aid distribution in the country has faced challenges. Initial delays were caused by the temporary closure of Jamaica's airports. Currently, landslides, downed power lines, and fallen trees have rendered certain roads impassable, complicating the delivery of supplies. Reports indicate instances of individuals entering supermarkets and pharmacies to gather clean drinking water, food, and medicine due to immediate needs.
Regional Impact
Beyond Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa has caused at least 31 deaths in Haiti and a minimum of two deaths in the Dominican Republic. In Cuba, thousands of residents were evacuated, and over 60,000 homes have sustained damage or been destroyed.
Storm Characteristics
Hurricane Melissa is recognized as the most powerful storm on record to impact Jamaica and one of the strongest observed in the wider Caribbean. Classified as a Category 5 hurricane, which is characterized by winds exceeding 157 mph (253 km/h) and capable of catastrophic damage, Melissa reached peak sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h).
Context and Future Outlook
The relationship between climate change and the frequency of storms is subject to ongoing research. However, increased sea surface temperatures are known to warm the air above, providing more energy to drive hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. This condition suggests a potential for more intense storms and increased rainfall.
Before the commencement of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had forecasted above-normal activity.