Deadly Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds reported above 185 mph (nearly 200 mph in some accounts), the strongest to hit the island in 174 years. The storm produced life‑threatening storm surge, heavy rainfall and major flooding and has been blamed for deaths in the Caribbean, including at least three in Jamaica. Widespread damage to homes, hospitals and schools, large power and communications outages, and blocked roads have left many families unreachable and complicated rescue and relief efforts. Jamaican communities across the United States — from Texas and Florida to Detroit, New England and beyond — are anxiously awaiting word from relatives and organizing relief drives to collect food, diapers, toiletries and clothing for shipment when it is safe. Officials have moved some residents to shelters by bus, but many hesitate to evacuate and warn that recovery will be lengthy and costly.