The death toll from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica has climbed to 45, with 15 individuals still unaccounted for, as per authorities’ latest update on Tuesday. There are fears that the number of casualties could further increase as efforts to reach two isolated towns hit by the catastrophic Category 5 storm on October 28 are ongoing.
Jamaica’s emergency management office, led by Alvin Gayle, has been utilizing helicopters to deliver essential supplies to the inaccessible communities. The storm has forced 30,000 households to evacuate, with 1,100 individuals currently residing in 88 operational emergency shelters.
Despite progress in restoring services, around 50% of mobile network coverage has been reinstated, while over 70% of the population now has access to clean water. Crews are diligently working to clear nearly 36 obstructed roadways to facilitate recovery efforts.
Jamaica’s power company, overseen by president and CEO Hugh Grant, has successfully restored electricity to over 60% of customers, marking a significant achievement considering the widespread devastation. Notably, power has been reinstated at Montego Bay’s international airport.
Hurricane Melissa, classified as one of the fiercest Atlantic hurricanes on record, ravaged western Jamaica before advancing to eastern Cuba, causing extensive damage to properties and agricultural lands. The storm also triggered severe floods in southwestern Haiti, resulting in at least 43 fatalities.
International aid continues to pour into the affected regions as they strive to rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster. The U.S. government recently pledged an additional $10 million for Jamaica and $2.5 million for Haiti, bringing the total aid package for the impacted countries, including Cuba and the Bahamas, to nearly $37 million.