Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa, making landfall in late October 2025 as an extremely powerful Category 5 storm and then moving across the island toward the Bahamas and Cuba. Here’s what’s being reported about Jamaica before and after Melissa, with what’s known from early assessments and official briefings. Core facts

• Landfall intensity: Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with catastrophic winds and storm surge potential, triggering widespread evacuations, sheltering, and emergency response preparations across parishes along the southwest and coastal regions. Initial reports described severe destruction to homes, infrastructure, and communications in affected areas, particularly in western parishes such as St Elizabeth and parts of Westmoreland and Hanover.

• Affected areas and damages: Across western Jamaica, many communities experienced extensive damage to roofs and buildings, with substantial flooding and impassable roads due to debris and water. Wide power outages and water disruptions were common in the immediate aftermath as critical services struggled to restore. Tourism areas and rural farming zones were both affected, complicating relief and recovery efforts.

• Aftermath and response: Rescue and relief operations faced significant challenges due to impassable routes and the scale of destruction. Airports and transport corridors were being cleared for aid deliveries, and local authorities coordinated with national disaster agencies to establish shelters, deliver essential supplies, and begin assessments of housing and infrastructure damage. Satellite imagery and on-the-ground reports highlighted widespread devastation in multiple towns.

Key takeaways by topic

• Human impact: Early casualty figures and reports of injured or displaced residents emerged in the first 24–48 hours after landfall, with authorities urging calm and adherence to relief operations while coordinating help for isolated communities. The broader humanitarian situation included concerns about access to food, water, and medical supplies in several parishes.

• Infrastructure and services: The hurricane caused extensive damage to electricity networks, water systems, roads, and communications. Power restoration and road clearance were prioritized, but many routes remained obstructed for days, delaying aid and evacuation efforts.

• Satellite and drone imagery: Aerial perspectives from space and drones showed severe destruction in coastal towns and inland communities, including collapsed roofs and submerged areas, underscoring the scale of impact and the difficulty of reaching some neighborhoods.

What to expect in the near term

• Recovery phase: Expect ongoing search and rescue, followed by mass sheltering, debris removal, and repair of critical infrastructure (power, water, healthcare facilities). International and regional aid responses are likely to intensify as access improves and assessment teams map needs.

• Long-term risks: Potential for after-effects such as standing floodwaters, landslides in affected hillsides, agricultural losses, and food and water shortages in remote communities. Preparedness and resilience planning will be highlighted as Jamaica and its partners work to rebuild with climate-adaptive measures.

Direct answer

• Jamaica experienced a catastrophic impact from Hurricane Melissa, with a late-October 2025 landfall as a Category 5 storm, causing widespread destruction across western and coastal parishes, massive power and water outages, and substantial damage to homes, infrastructure, and farming areas. Rescue and relief operations faced significant access challenges, but sheltering and aid deliveries were initiated as authorities and partners mobilized to reach affected communities. The situation evolved with ongoing assessments, relief distribution, and a focus on rebuilding and restoring essential services in the days following landfall.