Hurricane Melissa’s Destruction in Jamaica
The extent of the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica is now becoming clear from the first satellite photos. The eye of the storm made landfall on Tuesday on the island’s southwest coast, 75 miles from the capital, Kingston.
Damage in Black River
Before-and-after images show the impact of the 185 mph winds on the town of Black River, the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish. There is widespread damage, with some houses and shops having no roof, while others have been completely destroyed. The covered food market is in ruins, and the Anglican Church of St. John, one of the oldest in Jamaica, has been severely damaged, with only the bell tower still standing.
Storm Surge and Flooding
Homes lining the shore would have taken the brunt of the storm surge. The fishing village of White House has been severely affected, with streets now in rubble and ashes, and trees stripped of their leaves by the wind. Western Jamaica, the country’s breadbasket and important for food production, has been inundated by up to a meter of rain, with fields underwater.
Agricultural Impact
Many crops have been destroyed, and the government has appealed for vegetable seeds so that farmers can quickly grow crops again. The resort town of Montego Bay, located on the northwest coast, has also been affected, with the container terminal and oil storage tanks at the port inundated by the storm surge and surrounded by water.
Humanitarian Crisis
It is estimated that 400,000 people in Jamaica have been affected by the hurricane, and the cost of destruction is immense. Threat analyst Enki Research estimates the bill to be £5.8 billion, which is more than a third of Jamaica’s GDP. The country will need months and international support to recover from the disaster.
