Kingston, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, one of the most destructive storms ever to hit Jamaica, national attention is turning from emergency response to long-term resilience. With at least 32 people confirmed dead, dozens still missing, and insured losses estimated at more than US $4 billion, the country now faces a defining moment in how it prepares for the future.
Entire communities across St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James were devastated, with towns like Black River reporting catastrophic damage — as many as 90% of homes lost their roofs.
“It’s one thing to watch videos online,” said Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes. “But to live through this storm, to walk through the wreckage and see what people are going through — it’s heartbreaking. And it’s a reminder that we must build smarter, not just rebuild what we had.”
