When Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025 as a Category 5 storm with winds of ~185 mph, it did more than devastate structures it struck the heart of communities. Across Jamaica, especially in the southwestern parishes where Melissa’s eyewall struck and then crawled inland, homes, farms, fishers’ boats, schools and hospitals were battered.
Below are ten places that are among “ground zero” for recovery. Each location tells its own story of loss and invites us to respond.
1. Black River, St. Elizabeth (Parish: St Elizabeth)
Black River is one of the communities hit hardest. Reports describe it as “underwater” with roofs torn off, roads blocked, the police station damaged, and countless homes destroyed.
Key needs: Access routes cleared, debris removal, emergency water/sanitation kits, tarps and temporary roofing.
2. White House, Westmoreland (Parish: Westmoreland)
This fishing-village community faced dual blows: the homes and then the boats. With the storm surge and wind, the infrastructure that supports the local fish industry was decimated.
Key needs: Boat repair kits, fishing nets, ice/chill storage, roof repair for homes.
3. Amity, Westmoreland (Parish: Westmoreland)
Amity lies inland, where farmers report tree crops and greenhouses being destroyed. The storm interrupted the planting cycle and wiped income streams.
Key needs: Seeds/seedlings, greenhouse coverings, small-farm tool kits, micro-grants.
4. Lacovia, St. Elizabeth (Parish: St Elizabeth)
Lacovia’s homes and shelters bore the direct brunt many families displaced and in need of immediate shelter and supplies.
Key needs: Shelter kits (tarps, nails, lumber), hygiene kits, clean-water access, psychosocial support.
5. Howard Acres, St. Elizabeth (Parish: St Elizabeth)
A documented flooding hot-spot where roads are blocked, homes flooded, and families remain isolated.
Key needs: Pumps, flood mitigation gear, bedding & dry clothes, transportation/evacuation support.
6. Treasure Beach / Parottee, St. Elizabeth (Parish: St Elizabeth)
This coastal tourism area took a hit: hotels, homes and local livelihoods were washed out, leaving the community vulnerable.
Key needs: Small-business relief funds, beachfront cleanup, livelihood restoration (tourism/fishing), clean potable water.
7. Cave Mountain / Kentucky District, Westmoreland (Parish: Westmoreland)
This hill-community faced landslides, structural collapses and blocked access. The isolation complicates aid delivery.
Key needs: Rubble removal, transit access reopening, temporary shelters, slope stabilization.
8. Falmouth, Trelawny (Parish: Trelawny)
Even though perhaps not as widely highlighted, Trelawny’s Falmouth has serious damage: municipal buildings, courts, infrastructure destroyed.
Key needs: Public building repair, power grid restoration, debris clearing, support for households.
9. Hanover (Esher/Sandy Bay belt) (Parish: Hanover)
Hanover’s coastal and inland zones show roof damage, down power lines, blocked roads and families displaced and still unsettled.
Key needs: Roofing kits, power line restoration, water filters, logistics for rural deliveries.
10. Clarendon / St. Catherine coast (Parishes: Clarendon & parts of St Catherine)
Forecasts flagged these areas for high storm surge (9-13 ft) and rainfall up to 30+ inches in the mountains. These places will feel delayed effects: flooding, landslides, agricultural loss.
Key needs: Flood rescue capacity, slope/bridge repair, agricultural support, community shelters.