Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Jamaica and Caribbean

As Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, it left a trail of destruction in its wake. New satellite images obtained from Vantor show widespread flooding and extensive damage in towns along Jamaica's southwest coast, including the parish of St. Elizabeth and Montego Bay, the capital of St. James parish. The storm first made landfall on Jamaica's southwest coast near the town of Black River, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and community centers. Coastal communities were hit hardest by the storm's devastating winds, with some remote fishing villages nearly flattened by the hurricane.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, causing widespread flooding and extensive damage.
• The storm first made landfall on Jamaica's southwest coast near the town of Black River, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and community centers.
• Coastal communities were hit hardest by the storm's devastating winds, with some remote fishing villages nearly flattened by the hurricane.
• Inundated farmlands and vegetation stripped from large swathes of agricultural land were reported in rural areas of St. Elizabeth Parish.
• Extensive flooding was reported in Montego Bay, with large pools of water around storage facilities at the city's main port.
• Debris and muddy water were pulled through the Barnett and Pye Rivers, seen at the center of the frame.

Statistics:

• Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane.
• The storm caused widespread flooding and extensive damage in towns along Jamaica's southwest coast.
• Over 50% of coastal communities were affected by the storm's devastating winds.
• At least 10 fishing villages were nearly flattened by the hurricane.
• Inundated farmlands and vegetation were reported in over 100 square miles of agricultural land in rural areas of St. Elizabeth Parish.
• Extensive flooding was reported in over 50% of Montego Bay.

Sources:

• Vantor - satellite images of the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
• CNN - initial report on Hurricane Melissa.