A day after the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa through the western part of Jamaica, where so much infrastructure was demolished and it is likely that some communities will remain isolated for days, the island continues to suffer from extreme natural phenomena.
Much of this Wednesday will register maximum temperatures close to or above 32 degrees Celsius, except in the mountainous areas, a type of heat common in the Caribbean at the end of October, but increased by the humidity left by Melissa, notes a report from cnn.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area on Tuesday. This statement, this source notes, was made through a statement on Facebook, made in part to discourage price speculation.
#LatestNews: The Black River Police Station in St Elizabeth was left battered by Hurricane Melissa, which unleashed heavy rains and fierce winds on the southern parish. pic.twitter.com/jg4bptcZqS
— Jamaica Star (@jamaicastar) October 28, 2025
The country’s infrastructure has been severely damaged and is in a critical situation, according to Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development. While improvements have been made in urban areas such as Kingston, much of the island’s rural population remains vulnerable. Official data spoke of 15 thousand refugees still on Tuesday night.
About 25,000 tourists remained in Jamaica as the country assesses the devastation caused by the hurricane. “There is no cause for concern,” said Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, in a statement that also cited cnn.
The Jamaican Government launched an official website for relief and recovery efforts. Users can report and access updated information about flooded areas or blocked roads. The portal also has an interactive shelter search engine.
US President Donald Trump said he is monitoring the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa and is prepared to help Jamaica in its recovery.
The Miami Heat NBA team, in collaboration with the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and Carnival Corporation & plc, donated $1 million to the humanitarian organization Direct Relief to support recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, according to the NBA.
Melissa became the strongest hurricane to have made landfall in Jamaica, as it arrived on the island with stronger winds than Gilbert, the most powerful storm that had hit the country until then, notes CNN.
