October 29, 2025
By JamRadio News Desk | Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica is waking up to scenes of widespread destruction after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island, flattening homes, flooding roads, and severing communications. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, but early reports paint a grim picture: livestock drowned, hospital roofs ripped off, and airport terminals inundated with water.
Bishop Desmond Jadoo, director of the Windrush National Organization, spoke from Walsall this morning, describing the situation as “clearly worse” than Hurricane Gilbert, which struck in 1988. “We’ve seen cars floating, landslides already, waterfalls forming where they shouldn’t be,” he said. “The hospital in Black River lost its roof. Montego Bay airport is flooded. Most of the island is still in darkness.”
Chair of the Windrush National Organisation - Bishop Desmond Jadoo calls on Jamaicans in the Diaspora to help rebuild their motherland following the catastrophic devastation left by hurricane Melissa. #HurricaneMelissa #Jamaica #WindrushSolidarity @DefendWindrush @WinVoicesFest pic.twitter.com/fdwAfPyp91
— Jam Radio UK News (@Jam_RadioUK) October 29, 2025
Jadoo emphasized the vulnerability of Jamaica’s infrastructure and the urgent need for diaspora support. “People were already living on the breadline. Now many have lost their homes, their livestock, their livelihoods. The recovery will be long—and we must play our part.”
The Jamaican government had warned of potential mass devastation, and those warnings have tragically materialized. Landslides remain a serious threat, especially in rural areas where communication is limited and access is blocked. “We’re getting reports from local communities,” Jadoo said. “They’re the ones who will help us assess the damage and guide the support operation.”
As daylight breaks over Jamaica, the priority shifts to assessing the impact and coordinating relief. The Windrush National Organization is urging UK-based Jamaicans to mobilize resources and prepare for a sustained recovery effort.
“This isn’t over,” Jadoo warned. “The aftershocks—physical and emotional—are still unfolding.”
