Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Prompting Disaster Declaration and International Relief Efforts

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, marking it as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the Caribbean nation and surpassing the wind speeds of historic storms like Hurricane Katrina. The storm caused widespread destruction with intense winds, flooding, and power outages, leaving residents and visitors alike in harrowing conditions. Australian student Samuel Zinzan Ziff described a terrifying night fearing the loss of his home's iron roof while struggling with intermittent power and water access. Chicago visitor Melissa Quinones recounted the storm's escalating winds and the disruption to her travel plans, highlighting the storm's severity and prompting reconsideration of hurricane season vacations. Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson and her husband were trapped in Jamaica due to canceled flights, taking refuge in evacuation centers amid concerns over preparedness and shelter utilization. Jamaican authorities declared the island a disaster area, urging residents to remain sheltered as the storm moved slowly across the island, causing prolonged damage and stress to the community.