Jamaica Begins Assessing Damage as Residents Grapple with Hurricane MelissaS Aftermath
Black River, Jamaica – Residents of Treasure Beach and surrounding areas in St. Elizabeth parish are beginning to assess the widespread damage left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 4 storm that swept across Jamaica this week. The storm forced evacuations, disrupted essential services, and underscored growing concerns about the escalating impacts of climate change in the Caribbean.
British tourists Sri Sudevi and Rachel Dimond were among those who sought safety inland,fleeing their accommodations as Melissa intensified.Sudevi described the people of Treasure Beach as “strong, resilient and pleasant,” despite the disruption to her holiday. Dimond, previously stranded in the area during the 2020 Covid-19 crisis, expressed concern over losing communication with family in the UK due to power outages, but ultimately felt secure thanks to the community spirit. “Treasure Beach people look after each other, they keep each other safe,” she said. “If I have to be anywhere for a hurricane, I’d be in Treasure Beach.”
The immediate aftermath has focused on providing essential aid. Local chef Candace Dryden is leading a World Food Kitchen operation, delivering hot meals and drinking water to residents without power or running water. “A warm plate of food will remind people that they’re still home,” Dryden stated, adding, “We’re just a little bit uncomfortable right now but we still have each other and we’re still here cooking with love.”
The scale of the recovery effort is meaningful, and the storm serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat posed by stronger, wetter, and more destructive hurricanes. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive of the Jamaica Habitat Trust, pointed to Melissa’s strength and slow movement as “clear signs of climate change.” “The science shows that while we may not see more storms the ones we do get are becoming stronger, wetter and more destructive. category 4 and 5 hurricanes are now more frequent in our region,” she explained. “For the Caribbean, this means more intense storms like Melissa, longer recovery times and greater social and economic strain. If global emissions aren’t drastically reduced, these kinds of events will become more of the norm.”
As night fell, heavy-duty military vehicles were observed transporting mattresses and supplies along the challenging roads of St.Elizabeth, aiming to deliver relief to communities impacted by the hurricane. The question on many residents’ minds is stark: ”How do you rebuild all this?”
