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4h ago

Jamaica Counts 28 Dead After Hurricane Melissa as Global Relief Ramps Up

Aid operations are scaling despite blocked roads, widespread outages, and constrained airport capacity.

Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes in recorded history, its center core boosting the hurricane's highest estimated sustained winds to 180 mph on the morning of Oct. 28, and gusts to more than 250 mph.
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Overview

  • Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed at least 28 deaths, with additional possible fatalities under verification following the Category 5 landfall.
  • Devastation is concentrated in western parishes such as St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, where power and communications remain down and many communities are cut off.
  • The United Nations released $4 million from its emergency fund, UN officials urged major international support, and medical teams began operating in affected areas.
  • Relief logistics accelerated as Samaritan’s Purse flew in 38,000 pounds of supplies to Kingston, Mercy Chefs began serving meals in St. Elizabeth, and the business aviation sector activated airlift resources.
  • Governments organized flights and aid, including Florida’s evacuation of 28 residents and UK support with £7.5 million and charter flights, while residents and expatriates launched grassroots fundraisers for local charities and the Red Cross.