Overview
- Authorities report at least five deaths in Jamaica and more than 20 in Haiti, with assessments still limited by damaged communications.
- Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Black River was totally destroyed and estimated 80–90% of roofs were torn off along the storm’s path.
- Melissa, once a Category Five with reported winds near 185 mph, has been downgraded to Category One yet remains capable of bringing strong winds and torrential rain.
- A BBC correspondent described a hospital as completely destroyed and said washed‑out roads could leave some areas reachable only by boat.
- St Elizabeth Parish’s fields were submerged and Montego Bay suffered heavy damage, as the government focuses on restoring key infrastructure with pledged international assistance.