Hurricane Melissa left a trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean — and Jamaica took a direct, devastating hit.
Hurricane Melissa left a trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean — and Jamaica took a direct, devastating hit. The Category 5 hurricane tore through the island Tuesday with winds reaching 185 mph, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic.
According to The Associated Press, in St. Elizabeth parish, a landslide blocked the main roads in Santa Cruz, leaving streets turned to mud pits as residents tried to sweep floodwater from their homes. Roofs were ripped off buildings, including a high school that was serving as a public shelter.
“I never see anything like this before in all my years living here,” resident Jennifer Small said.
More than 25,000 Jamaicans were sheltering in government-run facilities Wednesday as relief efforts began.
