JA PM: We Know Many Of You Are Hurting, But Please Know That You Are Not Alone

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JAMAICA – Before Hurricane Melissa began her march toward The Bahamas, she unleashed her full force on Jamaica, making landfall as a Category Five storm and leaving behind a trail of destruction across the island.

Scenes from the aftermath show downed power lines, uprooted trees, damaged homes, and widespread flooding, stark reminders of the storm’s intensity and the scale of its impact. Meteorologists have described Melissa as one of the strongest storms in Atlantic history.

In the storm’s wake, Information Minister Morris Daxon reported that roughly 77 percent of the country remains without electricity, though water systems have largely held up.

Senior U.N. official Dennis Zulu estimates that as many as one million people may have been affected, noting that the number could climb as assessments continue. He added that the Jamaican government hopes to reopen airports by Thursday to allow for aid and transport operations.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie cautioned that recovery “will not be an easy road.” He confirmed that critical infrastructure has been severely compromised, with reports of hospital damage, flooded government buildings, and the evacuation of a homeless shelter.

As of early Tuesday afternoon, McKenzie said there were no confirmed fatalities, emphasizing that the government was not in a position to make any official statements regarding potential deaths until assessments were complete.

For many Bahamians who weathered Hurricane Dorian, the devastation in Jamaica feels hauntingly familiar, a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparation as Hurricane Melissa continues its path toward the Southeastern Bahamas.