Rescue Efforts Underway as Jamaica Grapples with Aftermath of Powerful Storm

On 2025-10-30T18:23:34+00:00, Jamaica is grappling with the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Melissa, which rampaged through the Caribbean earlier this week. The storm, which made landfall on Tuesday, was the country's strongest hurricane since records began in 1851, with sustained winds of 185mph.

The devastation across Jamaica has been described as "enormous" by the transportation minister, Daryl Vaz. While the capital Kingston was spared the worst of the damage, many towns in the southwest of the country were left "underwater" with power lines and mobile network towers down.

In response, the Jamaican government has ramped up rescue and relief efforts, working to clear roads and reach isolated and cut-off areas. The Kingston international airport has now reopened to allow flights carrying critical aid to land. The British government has also announced that it is chartering flights to the island to assist British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially.

Despite the significant damage, the accurate forecasting and government calls for people to seek shelter meant that many were able to reach safety. However, the storm has still claimed four lives in Jamaica, and a further 25 people, including 10 children, died in Haiti when a river overflowed its banks.

As of 2025-10-30T18:23:34+00:00, the hurricane has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm but is still carrying winds of close to 105 miles per hour as it heads towards Bermuda. The island nation is now preparing for the storm's approach, expected by the evening local time, though it is expected to significantly weaken by Friday.