Relief Efforts Underway After Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica

The Jamaican government has begun reaching communities hardest hit by 🌀Hurricane Melissa, nearly a week after the historic storm tore through the western part of the island.

According to FOX Weather, officials reported that the first wave of aid and fuel arrived in Westmoreland Parish on Sunday, assisted by a U.S. State Department Disaster Relief Task Force. Many buildings and key infrastructure in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and St. James Parishes were destroyed by Melissa’s eyewall and winds up to 185 mph at landfall.

U.S. forces are assisting with ongoing search and rescue missions, according to the 🇯🇲Jamaica Information Service.

FOX Weather Correspondent 👤Robert Ray, who rode out the Category 5 hurricane east of Montego Bay, documented the slow progress of government relief convoys to Black River, one of the towns nearest the storm’s landfall. Roads were lined with downed power lines, and survivors reported their homes were destroyed and lacked food and water.

“My five kids are homeless,” a Black River mother told Ray.

“The mountains are bald, there is no vegetation in these mountains,” Ray added, noting that stripped leaves and bark indicate extreme wind speeds often seen in the strongest tornadoes.

Jamaican Prime Minister