The Jamaican authorities on Monday mentioned a minimum of 32 deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Melissa, with Data Minister Dana Morris Dixon saying there are probably eight extra unconfirmed deaths.
With its tourism season only a month away, officers are dashing to rebuild from the catastrophic Class 5 storm that shredded the island’s western area. Earlier than the hurricane hit on Oct. 28, the federal government anticipated Jamaica’s tourism trade to develop by 7% this winter season and was getting ready to welcome an estimated 4.3 million guests.
Now, officers are scrambling to restore lodges and clear particles within the western half of the island in hopes of securing vacationer {dollars} at a second once they’re wanted probably the most.
Melissa was probably the most highly effective hurricane to lash the island since record-keeping started 174 years in the past. The Nationwide Hurricane Heart mentioned the storm initially got here ashore close to New Hope, on the southwestern coast of Jamaica.
Individuals restore the roof of a resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, within the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Matias Delacroix / AP
Earlier than the storm, the Jamaican authorities mentioned it had accomplished all it may to organize. “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness had mentioned.
“We are still doing our assessments, but most of the damage was in the northwest and southwest,” mentioned Christopher Jarrett, who leads the Jamaica Resort and Vacationer Affiliation.
He famous that the favored Negril space in Westmoreland was spared main harm.
All worldwide airports in Jamaica have reopened and are receiving business flights. However nearly per week after probably the most highly effective Atlantic hurricanes on file struck the western finish of Jamaica, tourism officers have been nonetheless attempting to get a real image of the harm to the sector — a mainstay of the island’s economic system.
Jarrett mentioned the foyer group that represents personal lodges and sights on the island continues to be unable to succeed in a lot of its members, particularly within the western parish of Hanover, as communication and electrical energy providers have been down.
“Every individual member who was affected is doing everything to get back up and running,” he mentioned.
In latest days, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett mentioned he anticipated Jamaica’s tourism sector to be again to regular by Dec. 15, the beginning of the island’s peak tourism season.
“It’s doable for some and not for others,” Jarrett mentioned of the timeline, declaring that the bigger lodge chains would have the ability to recuperate faster.
Passengers test in on the Norman Manley Worldwide Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, within the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Matias Delacroix / AP
Jarrett, who operates the family-owned Altamont Court docket Resort that has properties in Kingston and Montego Bay, mentioned just one property in Montego Bay sustained roof harm and that repairs have been underway.
Regardless of the disruption to the essential tourism sector, Jarrett mentioned he doesn’t anticipate the financial fallout to be vital. He mentioned many lodges within the capital of Kingston and within the northern coastal city of Ocho Rios have been gaining enterprise from the inflow of assist employees and volunteers within the hurricane’s aftermath.
“Right now, we’re giving discounts, between 25% and 50%, and some (hotels) are giving complimentary stays as well,” Jarrett mentioned.
Tourism is Jamaica’s foremost supply of overseas change earnings, contributing a mixed 30% to gross home product instantly and not directly. It employs an estimated 175,000 folks and is a serious financial driver for different sectors within the Jamaican economic system, resembling building, banking and finance, utilities and agriculture.
The disruption to the tourism sector is also affecting many suppliers of products and providers.
“With some of the hotels closed and most of the tourists gone, many of us are left without work. This storm didn’t just destroy buildings; it shattered jobs and incomes for many of us and our families,” mentioned Patricia Mighten, who works within the western parish of Hanover as a lodge housekeeper.
Desrine Smith, a craft vendor who plies her commerce within the resort city of Falmouth within the northwestern parish of Trelawny, echoed these sentiments.
“Going days without tourists coming to buy anything means no sales and no money. We survive on daily earnings, and now everything is uncertain,” she mentioned. “The hurricane has impacted our pockets hard.”
Crews are nonetheless attempting to entry 25 remoted areas in western Jamaica as helicopters proceed to drop meals for them. Practically half of all energy prospects stay with out electrical energy.
Extra from CBS Information
