Jamaica Executes Widespread Road Clearance After Hurricane Melissa

Following Hurricane Melissa, widespread devastation has severely impacted Jamaica, with over 151 roads blocked across the island, including significant damage in parishes like St. Elizabeth and Trelawny. Government efforts are underway to clear roadways and restore access, employing contractors and heavy-duty equipment to create single-lane passages and remove debris such as fallen trees and landslides, facilitating the delivery of relief supplies. Trelawny police actively assist with clearing operations, using chainsaws and machetes to address blockages, while coping with challenges from flooding that have forced foot patrols. Critical infrastructure damage includes hospitals, schools like William Knibb Memorial High School, parish council buildings, and police stations. Drone footage highlights ongoing clearing efforts, such as removing fallen bamboo trees. Additionally, the U.S. State Department has offered assistance to Jamaica as damage assessments continue and evacuations have taken place due to uninhabitable homes and compromised hospitals.