Hurricane Melissa formed in the Atlantic and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane[1], with maximum sustained winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour[1]. Its path bore directly toward Jamaica, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, and other disasters. Meteorologists noted that Melissa's rapid intensification and longevity made it one of the most destructive storms of the hurricane season, compared to Jamaica's previous hurricanes: Hurricane Beryl on July 3, 2024, which was a Category 4; Hurricane Dean on August 20, 2007, which was a Category 3; Hurricane Gilbert on September 12, 1988, which was a Category 4; and Hurricane Charlie on August 17, 1951, which was a Category 3. The Category 5 Hurricane Melissa was the most powerful hurricane to strike the Caribbean island nation and one of the strongest on record in the Atlantic Basin.[2] Jamaica Prime Minister Edward P. G. Seaga described Hurricane Gilbert at the time as "the worst disaster in our modern history."[2]
The current loss and damage reported in Jamaica
Category | Situation |
Casualties | 43 people confirmed dead in Haiti, 32 in Jamaica[3] |
Houses damaged | Communities left in ruins, numerous homes missing roofs and walls. In all directions, businesses, churches and homes appeared to be damaged or destroyed. |
Power outage | Thousands of Cubans struggle without power and water nearly a month after Hurricane Melissa[4] |
Agricultural damage | Farmlands, crops, fishery facilities and the like were severely damaged. |
Economic loss | Jamaica’s Prime Minister sees $6-7 billion economic hit in early estimates[3] |
Jamaica's response efforts
Despite the severity of the disaster, the Jamaican government responded promptly. In preparation, the Government of Jamaica activated emergency shelters, closed airports and seaports, and issued evacuation orders for coastal and low-lying communities.[5] Members of the Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF’s) National Reserve were mobilized to support rescue, logistics, and security operations.[6] Furthermore, Jamaica had formally designated the affected areas as “disaster zones” through The Disaster Risk Management (Declaration Of Disaster Area) (Hurricane Melissa) Order, 2025.[7]
The international support
International assistance for the disaster in Jamaica is being carried out in an orderly manner. The World Food Programme (WFP) stated it is collaborating with the Jamaican government to assist with logistics, cash support, and the transportation of emergency supplies. Food boxes are packed in Barbados for distribution in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa is striking.[8] International Medical Corps have dispatched teams to assess needs and provide medical supplies. They also reached out to local health and emergency partners, drawing on relationships built during their response to 2024’s Hurricane Beryl and the extensive training they provided in early 2025 to healthcare leaders on mass casualty management and basic emergency care, which helped officials and clinicians to better deal with hurricane melissa.[9]
The existing DRR strategies in Jamaica
Jamaica faces persistent threats from hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, which prompts the establishment of a comprehensive disaster risk management system: At the national level, Jamaica’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Policy 2020-2040 explicitly sets the goal of achieving a “safe and resilient Jamaica” by 2040. This policy emphasizes risk identification, disaster preparedness, recovery and reconstruction, disaster risk financing, and legal frameworks.[10] At the institutional level, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) serves as the national disaster management agency, covering functions such as early warning, emergency response, public education, and risk assessment.[11] Regarding disaster risk financial management, the Jamaican government has introduced the National Natural Disaster Risk Financing Policy to ensure the government's financial responsiveness following disasters.[12]
Conclusion
The key lessons from Hurricane Melissa can inform other island States and the global DDR community. Firstly, the Jamaican government activated early warning, evacuation, and shelter mechanisms before this event[5], which demonstrates that preparedness is crucial for mitigating damage. Secondly, from Jamaica's experience, when hurricanes bring extreme winds, storm surges and prolonged rainfall, the resilience of critical infrastructure is paramount. Reinforcing the infrastructures and implementing redundant designs before disasters strike are crucial steps in enhancing the nation's disaster resilience. Thirdly, Jamaica had established disaster response legislation[10] and risk financing mechanisms[12]. When Hurricane Melissa struck, these institutional frameworks enabled the government to swiftly initiate rescue operations, resource allocation, and international cooperation, which is a critical capability for a country that is frequently affected by disasters.
Author:
Wuzhou Lian, IRDR Communication Intern, wuzhou.lian@irdrinternational.org
Reference
[2] https://abcnews.go.com/International/jamaica-history-dealing-powerful-hurricanes/story?id=126930029
[8] https://www.wfp.org/stories/hurricane-melissa-wfp-hand-jamaica-responds-its-worst-storm-ever
[9] https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/emergency-response/hurricane-melissa/
[11] https://www.odpem.org.jm/the-odpem/
