A destructive storm struck Jamaica, causing death and havoc across the island nation. Hurricane Melissa, with winds reaching 185mph, claimed the lives of at least seven individuals, destroyed homes, and triggered widespread flooding. Termed the “storm of the century,” it fell just short of being the most powerful storm ever recorded in the region. Among the 58,000 Britons in Jamaica were Neville Lawrence, father of murdered Stephen Lawrence, and the family of Raheem Sterling, a Chelsea footballer.
Forecasters have raised concerns that Melissa, the most potent storm in Jamaica’s history, may inflict even greater devastation as it progresses towards Cuba and the Bahamas. To prepare for its impact, the Jamaican government initiated evacuations from high-risk zones and shut down all airports, urging residents to seek shelter.
Rebecca Chapman, celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary on the island, described an eerie calm before the storm with unusual sounds and deserted surroundings. Andrew Tracey, a holidaymaker, expressed his anxiety as the strong winds shook his surroundings and evacuation measures were enforced at his Negril hotel.
Amidst the chaos, British nationals sought safety, with Yvette Cooper mentioning the establishment of a crisis center to aid stranded citizens. The Foreign Secretary emphasized the severity of Melissa and assured readiness to assist British nationals in the affected regions. The Royal Navy vessel HMS Trent stood by for potential rescue operations.
Melissa’s impact left Jamaica in darkness, with communication networks and power grids failing. The storm, initially a category five, weakened to a category four but continued to unleash powerful 150mph winds. The US National Hurricane Center warned of potential structural failures due to the storm’s intensity.
As the storm battered the island, residents sought refuge in shelters, while officials expressed concerns about those disregarding evacuation orders. Emergency teams faced challenges in reaching individuals trapped by flooding and debris. The storm’s aftermath is expected to strain Jamaica’s resources and economy, already vulnerable to climate shifts and debt burdens.
In Cuba, evacuations were ordered for nearly 900,000 residents, with the US Navy relocating personnel and warships out of harm’s way. Humanitarian aid efforts in neighboring Haiti faced limitations due to stretched donor funds diverted to other crises. The impact of Melissa poses long-term challenges for the affected regions, requiring extensive recovery efforts.
