Name: Jamaicans recount battle to survive Hurricane Melissa
Uploaded: 2025-10-30T09:07:16.920Z
Duration: 1 min 49 s
Description: Hurricane Melissa unleashed devastation in Jamaica as the strongest storm on record ever to hit the Caribbean island nation, leaving at least four dead.

Hurricane Melissa unleashed devastation in Jamaica as the strongest storm on record ever to hit the Caribbean island nation, leaving at least four dead.

Kingston

Jamaicans in Montego Bay and other areas have described harrowing experiences as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck the island. Residents recounted rapidly rising floodwaters, destruction of homes, and dramatic rescue efforts as the hurricane caused extensive damage.

Aerial and satellite images revealed widespread devastation, with homes submerged and infrastructure severely affected. Officials reported fatalities and significant power outages, while the government began recovery efforts and kept emergency shelters open for displaced residents.

Jamaicans recount battle to survive Hurricane Melissa

77-year-old Alfred Hines waded barefoot through thick mud and debris in a neighborhood off Jamaica's Montego Bay on Wednesday. This is what's left after Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean island. Hines recalled the battle to survive the rapidly rising floodwaters. At one stage, I see the water at my waist, and about ten minutes time, I see it around my neck here, and I make my escape. Now, with the storm gone, Hines is working to clean what's left of his home. I just want to get things to come back to normal. Another resident of Montego Bay, Gabrielle, said she had endured the worst day of her life. Yesterday was horrible, horrific, terrifying, the worst day of my entire life, the worst experience of my entire life. To see my place being flooded out, it was terrifying for me and my child. The water level reached me to my waist. I was stuck in my house. They had to break into my home to save me. Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest ever hurricane to directly hit its shores. Aerial footage shows homes submerged in floodwaters, roofs blown off, and trees knocked down. Before and after satellite images show the devastation brought to locations in Jamaica by the Category 5 hurricane. Officials said floodwaters had washed up four bodies in the agricultural hub of St. Elizabeth, and about 77 percent of the country was without electricity as of Wednesday morning. Jamaica's government gave an all-clear to begin recovery efforts. However, emergency shelters will stay open through the week as people keep coming in from devastated homes.

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