Jamaica declares disaster as ‘Monstrous Melissa’ ravages island

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Lyndal RowlandsOctober 29, 2025 at 08:27 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a disaster area after Hurricane Melissa struck as one of the most powerful storms on record, causing widespread damage across the island. The Category 5 hurricane made landfall on October 28, 2025, damaging homes, hospitals, and farmland, leaving millions without electricity. Although no deaths were confirmed at the time, Holness anticipated a loss of life due to the storm's severity. The disaster declaration allows for better management of relief efforts. Prior to hitting Jamaica, the hurricane caused seven fatalities in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Damage was reported across nearly every parish, emphasizing the extensive impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Key Topics & Entities

Andrew Holness ×480% Jamaica ×580% Hurricane Melissa ×6100%

Keywords

hurricane melissa 100% disaster declaration 90% jamaica 85% catastrophic damage 75% prime minister andrew holness 70% loss of life 65% power outage 60% agricultural damage 55% disaster response 50% storm intensity 45%