Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2025. 3:17 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: Jamaica’s southwestern coast is reeling from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa, which slammed into the island as one of the most powerful storms in its history.
Entire neighborhoods in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland parishes were left in ruins, with homes flattened, churches demolished, and roads rendered impassable by debris. “It has been devastating,” said Officer Warrell Nicholson from the Black River police station, which sustained damage but is now serving as a refuge for displaced residents.
According to AFP, initial assessments have been slowed by widespread power outages and downed communication lines across the island.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a top-category storm, packing sustained winds of 185 miles (295 kilometers) per hour and unleashing torrential rainfall that triggered flash floods and landslides.
Residents who braved the storm described terrifying conditions.
Andrew Houston Moncure, who sheltered with his wife and young child, said the hurricane was unlike anything he had experienced.
In Seaford Town, restaurant owner and farmer Christopher Hacker said his livelihood was wiped out.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared Jamaica a disaster area as recovery efforts begin.
In the hard-hit town of Bluefields, residents are using pickup trucks to charge phones and a single Starlink satellite device to reconnect with the outside world.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
Comments
More Belize News:
The post International News: Entire neighborhoods in Jamaica destroyed by monstrous Hurricane Melissa appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2025. 3:17 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: Jamaica’s southwestern coast is reeling from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa, which slammed
The post International News: Entire neighborhoods in Jamaica destroyed by monstrous Hurricane Melissa appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
