Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm ever to hit Jamaica and the strongest in the Atlantic Basin, formed earlier this week, tearing the 246-mile-long western part of the island in a devastating path and killing at least 30 people in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, according to CNN.
The Weather Channel reported that the Category 5 storm ranked as the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record when it made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast near New Hope on Tuesday afternoon. As a clearer picture of the damage continues to emerge, images and videos posted on social media and news outlets are alarming, showing widespread destruction in communities around St. Elizabeth Parish, some of the island’s most famous resorts on the island’s southwestern tip in Westmoreland Parish, as well as areas on the north coast and beyond.
“Hurricane Melissa has had a significant impact on Jamaica, and recovery will take time, especially within the community,” Heidi Clark, executive director of Sandals Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sandals and Beaches Resort, told Afar in an email.
It is still too early to know the full extent of the long-term impact on lives and livelihoods from the historic storm’s brutal blow. But with more information coming to light every day, here’s what you need to know about the disaster-stricken area that Melissa took.
Which areas were hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa?
Jamaica was hit in the midst of Hurricane Melissa when the Category 5 storm made landfall near New Hope and Black River in St. Elizabeth Parish after an extremely rapid intensification fueled by unusually hot ocean waters, according to a report by independent research organization Climate Central. The historic storm, which made landfall at 295 mph, reduced historic buildings to rubble and tore off roofs. new york times Reported.
Jamaica’s southwestern coastal areas were hardest hit by the storm, with devastating flooding and wind damage. Melissa’s influence spread to other parts of the island, including Montego Bay, a popular resort town on Jamaica’s north coast. The situation and casualties are still under investigation, and power outages remain widespread.
The storm’s wind and rain also affected Haiti, where the La Digue river suddenly flooded in the country’s west, killing 10 of the 20 children killed in Petit Goave. haiti times Reported. The BBC reported that eastern Cuba was also severely damaged when Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 storm, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel saying the hurricane had caused “considerable damage” but without disclosing the number of casualties.
Melissa is expected to continue moving north across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday and pass Bermuda late Thursday as a Category 1 or 2 storm, with hurricane conditions expected and possible coastal flooding, according to the Weather Channel.
How has travel and transportation been affected?
As of Thursday, October 30, Boscobel’s Ian Fleming International Airport and Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport have resumed commercial passenger flight operations. Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ), Jamaica’s largest and busiest airport, remained closed as of Thursday, with no word yet on when it will reopen. American Airlines has resumed operations in Kingston, Jamaica. Holguin, Cuba. and Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 30th.
As the storm approached, cruise lines adjusted itineraries that were scheduled to head to the eastern and central Caribbean, including stops in Montego Bay, a popular cruise port in Jamaica, and Ocho Rios. Cruise company Carnival Corporation is canceling its current port call in Montego Bay and rerouting its ships to ports in Belize and the Bahamas, according to the latest update. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima Additionally, future itineraries will prioritize a port call in Nassau, Bahamas, bypassing Montego Bay. Cruise ship travelers scheduled to visit Jamaica in the coming weeks or months should contact their cruise line for more information.
Real-time updates for travelers planning future visits to the island are available on the Visit Jamaica homepage.
How can travelers help?
International organizations and local fundraising organizations of the Jamaican diaspora living abroad are also actively participating in supporting Hurricane Melissa victims. For travelers who want to support recovery efforts, these are some of the groups currently working on the ground to support people and communities affected by the storm.
Jamaican American friend
donate now
The donations will be donated in dollar terms as part of a $1 million fund to support critical Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts led by the long-standing non-profit organization, which has supported Jamaican charities since 1982.
world central kitchen
donate now
Chef José Andrés’ humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen is already on the ground, working with partners in Jamaica to feed affected communities on the island.
support jamaica
donate now
Officially supported by the Government of Jamaica, the Jamaica website brings together resources from around the world for on-the-ground efforts to provide food, shelter and medical assistance to people in need on the island.
Global empowerment mission
donate now
Approximately 97% of all donations to this Doral, Florida-based nonprofit organization go directly to emergency relief to rebuild communities. $10 million has already been spent on Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, and cargo planes and relief containers will be mobilized to the affected areas.
sandals foundation
donate now
The nonprofit arm of Sandals and Beaches Resort has launched a relief mission in which 100% of every dollar donated will go directly to the organization’s immediate emergency response efforts focused on providing critical resources such as food, water, hygiene kits and building materials to those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
international medical team
donate now
This Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization provides medical services and training in disaster and conflict zones around the world. We are working with the Jamaican Ministry of Health and other local partners to assess the situation and distribute supplies.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
donate now
The world’s largest humanitarian network is supporting the Jamaica Red Cross Society to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water and cash assistance. The organization has launched an emergency appeal for $23 million to help the 180,000 people affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica over the next 24 months.
