In brief
Jamaica is reeling from Hurricane Melissa, which tore through the island with catastrophic wind speeds and heavy rains, leaving communities flooded and power outages widespread. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a disaster, assessing damages to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The government's focus is now on rescue operations and restoring communication amid fears of loss of life and significant economic impacts.
The normal soundtrack that accompanies Jamaican life is silent this morning as many have woken to no electricity.
About three-quarters of the island is without power and many parts of its western side are under water, with homes destroyed by strong winds after Hurricane Melissa tore across the island with catastrophic force.
As wind and rain lashed through the night, one local official said the destruction resembled the scene of an apocalypse movie. With communications crippled, the true scale of the disaster remains unknown.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area late Tuesday, warning of devastating impacts and significant damage to hospitals, homes, and businesses.
Although no deaths have yet been confirmed, Montego Bay's mayor Richard Vernon told the BBC his first task at daybreak would be to check if everybody is alive. Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to strike Jamaica in modern history, barrelled across the country on Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of ruin.
At its peak, the hurricane sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph). One anonymous woman told the BBC: There is water coming in through the roof of my house. I am not okay. Local government minister Desmond Mckenzie indicated that the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth was "under water," with rescue teams struggling to reach trapped families.
St Elizabeth, known as Jamaica's breadbasket, produces much of the island's food, and farmers now face a devastating blow with crops submerged and fields destroyed.
The economic impact is also severe, particularly in areas like Montego Bay, crucial for tourism. Mayor Vernon reported that the city has been split in two by rising floodwaters.
Meteorologists attributed Hurricane Melissa's rapid intensification to unusually warm Caribbean waters, a trend linked to climate change. As rescue operations commence, the island anticipates a long and challenging recovery ahead.
