Hurricane Melissa Devastates Black River, Jamaica, Leaving Widespread Destruction
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Hurricane Melissa Devastates Black River, Jamaica, Leaving Widespread Destruction

Summary

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Black River, Jamaica, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and leaving the town in ruins.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, made landfall near Black River, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025, causing catastrophic damage. The storm left up to 90% of Black River's structures roofless and severely damaged infrastructure, including the hospital, police station, and historic buildings.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the rebuilding of Black River as a "massive task," noting that 80 to 90 percent of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

The hurricane also caused significant flooding, with much of St. Elizabeth Parish described as being "underwater."

As of October 30, more than 25,000 people remained in shelters across Jamaica, with 77% of the island without power.

The storm has been blamed for at least 19 deaths in Jamaica and 31 in nearby Haiti.

Recovery efforts are underway, but the extent of the damage presents significant challenges for the affected communities.

Source

The New York Times

First reported

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Leaving Dozens Dead

• AP News

Fact-checking

Fact-check the facts of the article using external sources and databases.

✓
Confirmed

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, made landfall near Black River, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025, causing catastrophic damage.

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Unverified

The storm left up to 90% of Black River's structures roofless and severely damaged infrastructure, including the hospital, police station, and historic buildings.

!
Unverified

Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the rebuilding of Black River as a 'massive task,' noting that 80 to 90 percent of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

!
Unverified

The hurricane also caused significant flooding, with much of St. Elizabeth Parish described as being 'underwater.'

✓
Confirmed

As of October 30, more than 25,000 people remained in shelters across Jamaica, with 77% of the island without power.

✓
Confirmed

The storm has been blamed for at least 19 deaths in Jamaica and 31 in nearby Haiti.

✓
Confirmed

Recovery efforts are underway, but the extent of the damage presents significant challenges for the affected communities.

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