Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a stark warning following Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic landfall, declaring the island a disaster zone and citing “severe damage to national infrastructure.”
The Category 5 hurricane battered Jamaica with sustained winds of up to 185 mph, triggering landslides, flooding major roads, and tearing roofs off hospitals and homes. Holness confirmed that the government expects loss of life and is prioritizing emergency assessments to guide the recovery effort.
“We are facing widespread devastation. Roads are impassable, communications are down, and critical infrastructure has been compromised,” Holness said in a televised address.
Key Impacts Across Jamaica
Black River Hospital severely damaged, with its roof torn off during the storm
Montego Bay Airport flooded, disrupting emergency logistics and travel
Widespread power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity
Farmland in St. Elizabeth submerged, threatening food security
Bishop Desmond Jadoo, Chair of the Windrush National Organisation, echoed the Prime Minister’s concerns in a BBC interview, calling Hurricane Melissa “clearly worse than Gilbert.” He urged Jamaicans in the diaspora to mobilize resources and support the island’s long road to recovery.
“We’ve seen livestock drowned, homes flattened, and communities cut off. Jamaica is still in darkness—and the diaspora must help rebuild,” Jadoo said.
Diaspora Mobilization Begins
The Windrush National Organisation is coordinating with local communities to assess damage and identify urgent needs. Jadoo emphasized the importance of grassroots reports, especially from rural areas where communication remains limited.
In Parliament yesterday, MP Diane Abbott pressed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on what support the UK will offer Jamaica. Cooper confirmed she had spoken with Jamaica’s Foreign Minister and stated the UK is ready to assist.
Liberty Caribbean is partnering with Starlink to deliver emergency mobile service in Jamaica using direct-to-cell satellite technology, helping restore critical connectivity in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
What’s Next?
Damage assessments will guide infrastructure repair and humanitarian aid
Diaspora fundraising efforts are expected to ramp up in the coming days
International support from the UK and Caribbean partners is being negotiated
JamRadio will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
