Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike Jamaica in modern history, has left the island in ruins after making landfall as a Category 5 system with winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph).
The storm tore through the island late Tuesday, flattening homes, uprooting trees, and severing communications across large areas.
Three-quarters of Jamaica lost electricity overnight, while floodwaters submerged homes and mudslides swept through hillside communities. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area, warning of “devastating impacts” and “significant damage” to hospitals, schools, and businesses. Montego Bay, the heart of Jamaica’s tourism industry, was split in two by floodwaters, and the western parish of St Elizabeth—Jamaica’s agricultural hub—was left in tatters with crops destroyed and farmers facing financial ruin.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of “apocalyptic” destruction. Residents recounted roofs being ripped from homes, roads turned into rivers, and palm trees tossed like “toothpicks.” Locals and tourists alike were forced to barricade themselves inside bathrooms and shelters as winds howled through the night.
British visitors reported “terrifying” conditions, saying hotel windows and doors shook violently as debris battered buildings. With communications crippled and power still out across much of the island, officials have yet to confirm any deaths but fear the toll may rise as contact is restored.
The storm has since moved north toward Cuba and The Bahamas, still carrying winds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph), while King Charles expressed his “profound sadness” over the destruction across the Caribbean and extended sympathy to those affected.
Helicopter view of St Elizabeth in Jamaica showing the damage caused by hurricane Melissa 🥺pic.twitter.com/Qe3BFpcsj5
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 29, 2025
And we send our hard-earned money to Ukraine to make it look like this devastated landscape.
This government has to go!