ST JAMES, JAMAICA (OCTOBER 29, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT “JAMAICA PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY)

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ST JAMES, JAMAICA (OCTOBER 29, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT “JAMAICA PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Hurricane Melissa pummeled Jamaica, causing severe destruction and prompting the evacuation of approximately 25,000 people to shelters, authorities said on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

The storm, which made landfall on Tuesday, primarily impacted the island's western parishes with hurricane-force winds and torrential rains for several hours.

The eye of the hurricane passed directly over the rural western region, leaving a trail of flooded communities and significant damage to homes, hospitals, commercial buildings, and road infrastructure.

The capital, Kingston, was spared the most severe impacts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness traveled to the west to inspect the damage firsthand. On social media, he confirmed his presence in St. James, one of the hardest-hit areas, and noted that it was also where the first storm-related fatalities were officially confirmed.

"The parish of St. James was also greatly affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa," Holness stated. "The impact has been significant, affecting homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods across several communities."

The Prime Minister also shared footages showing widespread devastation in the hurricane-hit region.

While three fatalities were reported during preparations for the storm, the administration has not yet released an official death toll for the period since the hurricane's direct impact.

Local government minister Desmond McKenzie said the bodies of three men and one woman were washed up by the flood waters in St Elizabeth Parish.