The death toll from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica has risen to 45, with 15 individuals still missing, according to authorities on Tuesday. The number of confirmed deaths is expected to increase as officials are yet to access two towns that have been isolated since the powerful Category 5 storm hit western Jamaica on October 28.
Alvin Gayle, the director general of Jamaica’s emergency management office, mentioned that helicopters have been delivering essential supplies to the cut-off communities. The storm has displaced 30,000 households, with 1,100 individuals residing in 88 emergency shelters that are currently operational.
Approximately 30 roadways are still obstructed due to debris clearance efforts. Mobile service has been restored to half of the customers, while over 70% now have access to water. Power has been reinstated to more than 60% of customers, including Montego Bay’s international airport.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the most potent Atlantic hurricanes on record, caused severe damage in Jamaica and later struck eastern Cuba, resulting in significant property and crop destruction. The storm triggered extensive flooding in southwestern Haiti, leading to at least 43 fatalities.
To aid the affected countries, the U.S. government announced an additional $10 million in funds for Jamaica and $2.5 million for Haiti, totaling nearly $37 million for the impacted nations, which also include Cuba and the Bahamas.
