Jamaica has been the next victim of a natural disaster with Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm that made landfall on the southern coast of Jamaica on October 28, 2025.
Hurricane Melissa reached up to a category 5 before hitting Jamaica. Melissa is a rare case. The hurricane reached up to a category 4 before it slowed until it started to rapidly intensify again up to a category 5. The wind speed jumped from 70 miles per hour up to 140 miles per hour in 18 hours, and again went from 140 miles per hour to 175 miles per hour in 24 hours. The hurricane reached its peak around 185 miles per hour. These two periods of rapid intensification are speculated to be caused by warm ocean water resulting from climate change. Warm ocean water increases the strength of hurricanes by providing heat and moisture. The warm water evaporates, creating moist air that rises, cools, and condenses into clouds and rain, releasing large amounts of energy that powers the hurricane.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaica in rubble, leaving over 60,000 homes either damaged or destroyed, and leaving over 25,000 people in emergency shelters. The hurricane has killed a confirmed 32 people, and others are reported missing. The category 5 hurricane is estimated to have caused between $2.2 billion to $4.2 billion dollars in damages. Many roads are blocked as a result of landslides, downed power lines, and fallen trees. The damage has left around 72% of Jamaica without power. Major flooding left the St. Elizabeth parish, the second largest parish in Jamaica, submerged underwater. While the devastation is evident, the country is hopeful and the recovery has already begun.
The community is banded together, working to recover what was lost in the hurricane.
“We are a people who have always turned trials into triumphs. By linking our hands and our hearts, we will clear the debris, we will rebuild our communities, and we will rise from this stronger than before,” stated Jamaica’s Leader of Opposition Mark Golding. Many other countries, organizations, and foundations are supporting Jamaica through various donations, supplies, and resources. Over 500 roads have already been cleared. While the road to recovery may be long, Jamaica’s community is united in their pain in order to restore what was lost.
