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Source: Gleaner The air across Jamaica is heavy—not just with moisture from the departing clouds, but with a profound, collective anxiety. We have lived through the fury of a catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane, a system of immense power that has tested the very foundations of the nation. As the winds drop to a low howl and the torrential rains become intermittent showers, the difficult work of counting the cost—both physical and psychological—begins. A Direct Hit and Human Defiance The low-lying coastal towns of Black River and Savanna-la-Mar bore the immediate and catastrophic brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s Category 5 landfall. In Black River, St. Elizabeth, the situation was immediately deemed critical, as the area faced the highest anticipated storm surge, estimated to be up to 13 feet. Initial reports indicate the town was largely underwater, with extensive and total structural failure in coastal and flood-prone communities. Multiple families were reported trapped in their homes as floodwaters rose, paralysing rescue efforts. Similarly, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, situated very near the eye’s trajectory, saw widespread destruction. Footage confirmed the roof of the Savanna-la-Mar hospital was ripped off, and the business district was inundated by severe flooding, contributing to the extensive damage across the parish. Beyond the initial impact zone in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, the storm’s destructive path has severely compromised infrastructure across several other parishes. Clarendon experienced significant flooding and severe wind damage, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the south. The storm’s slow movement and torrential rain—with forecasts warning of up to 40 inches in some mountain areas—led to catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides. This has isolated communities and hampered initial damage assessments across Manchester, which suffered heavy rain and violent winds, as well as parts of the eastern parishes like St. Thomas and Portland. With over half a million customers island-wide left without power, officials have stressed that the cleanup and recovery process will be prolonged and exceedingly difficult across the entire island. Evacuation vs. Fear: Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie had sought approval for mandatory evacuations, warning vulnerable communities like Taylor Land, Port Royal, and New Haven to move immediately. Yet, the fear of leaving property unattended, and past negative experiences in shelters, superseded the fear of the elements. The Rocky Point Division: Councillor Winston Maragh confirmed that only about 180 residents from Rocky Point and Portland Cottage had been moved to shelters on Monday, a small fraction of the population. This low compliance sets the stage for a tragic scenario where search and rescue teams must now navigate floodwaters to extract people who chose to stay. Past Lessons: The memory of Hurricane Ivan (2004) and Hurricane Gilbert (1988) should have been a powerful deterrent, a lesson in the sea’s capacity for unforgiving fury. For many, that memory is balanced by the immediate, real-world fear of losing everything to thieves if they abandon their homes. The Dark Reality of Restoration: As the hurricane raged, a parallel crisis began to unfold. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that power outages escalated dramatically, climbing from 51,000 customers on Monday morning to an estimated 530,000 persons without electricity now. The vast majority of these outages are concentrated across Western Jamaica—specifically Hanover, St. Elizabeth, St. James, and Manchester. While falling trees caused much of the damage, the recovery effort now faces a calculated, criminal threat: vandalism and theft. Unscrupulous individuals have been stealing fuel from emergency generators and stripping cable wires for their copper content. A Two-Front War: Minister Vaz lamented that the passage of the Category 5 Hurricane may not be the utility companies’ biggest restoration threat. The ongoing theft, as evidenced by a recent incident in Cassia Park that crippled telecommunications, directly impedes the ability to restore light and communication to thousands of people who desperately need it. Widespread Impact: For a country dependent on tourism and global connectivity, the slow restoration of power and communication—due to both the natural disaster and deliberate sabotage—will drag out the national healing process, impacting business and public safety. Mobilising for the Aftermath The national security and logistics apparatus is now shifting from preparation to response. The government’s preparation, however, was significant in scale: Security Mobilisation: The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has deployed approximately 12,000 personnel island-wide, with another 2,000 on standby. This force is crucial for maintaining law and order, and will be on the ground for search, rescue, and security details as soon as conditions allow. Transportation Shift: Regular JUTC bus services were suspended to activate an emergency response fleet. Teams at the Rockfort, Spanish Town, and Portmore depots are on standby to conduct emergency evacuation and rescue missions, a critical necessity given the low pre-landfall evacuation numbers. Shelter Uptake: Despite initial hesitation, the number of people in official shelters has grown from under 1,000 to 15,000 persons island-wide. While Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie initially prepared for the possible relocation of up to 50,000 Jamaicans, the current 15,000 reflects both the severity of the Category 5 Hurricane and the population’s enduring reluctance to leave their homes. The Road to Relief The long path to recovery begins with opening the logistics gate. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has announced that teams are assessing the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston for damages. Aid Arriving: The critical goal is to prepare the airport for the arrival of humanitarian relief supplies as early as Thursday. International Support: International relief efforts, coordinated by groups like Caribbean Strong and the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), have containers of family care packages ready to be shipped from Florida. The island’s recovery depends on this window opening swiftly. The true impact of Hurricane Melissa will not be known until the floodwaters recede and the roads clear. This powerful Category 5 Hurricane forces Jamaica to again face the painful dichotomy of its existence: a community bound by family and place, yet perpetually challenged by nature’s devastating power. Given the low initial take-up of evacuation orders despite the severe warnings, what do you believe is the single most effective way to convince residents in vulnerable areas to prioritize their safety over their property when a major hurricane approaches?
