Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica on Oct. 28, has killed at least 32 people, with about eight more fatalities unconfirmed. The storm — the strongest to hit in 174 years — devastated western parishes and hit the tourism-dependent economy hard just weeks before the peak season. Airports have reopened, but crews are still reaching 25 isolated areas and nearly half the island remains without power. Authorities and hoteliers are racing to repair properties and reconnect services ahead of a hoped-for recovery by Dec. 15.
Hurricane Melissa Kills 32 in Jamaica as Tourism Sector Scrambles to Rebuild Ahead of Peak Season
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica on Oct. 28, has killed at least 32 people, with about eight more fatalities unconfirmed. The storm — the strongest to hit in 174 years — devastated western parishes and hit the tourism-dependent economy hard just weeks before the peak season. Airports have reopened, but crews are still reaching 25 isolated areas and nearly half the island remains without power. Authorities and hoteliers are racing to repair properties and reconnect services ahead of a hoped-for recovery by Dec. 15.
05:34, 04.11.2025Economy
Hurricane Melissa Kills 32 in Jamaica; Authorities Race to Restore Tourism and Services
The Jamaican government said on Monday that at least 32 people have died as a result of Hurricane Melissa, and Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon warned there may be about eight more unconfirmed fatalities. The Category 5 storm struck the island on Oct. 28, making landfall near New Hope on Jamaica's southwestern coast.
Widespread damage in the west
Melissa — the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica in 174 years of record-keeping — shredded communities across the island's northwest and southwest. "There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5," Prime Minister Andrew Holness said before the storm, a grim reality confirmed by post-storm assessments.
"We are still doing our assessments, but most of the damage was in the northwest and southwest,"
Despite extensive destruction in the west, some popular areas, such as Negril in Westmoreland, largely escaped catastrophic damage. All international airports are now open and handling commercial flights, but many western communities remain difficult to access because of debris, downed power lines and damaged communications.
Impact on tourism and the economy
Before Melissa, Jamaica expected a 7% rise in tourism for the winter season and planned to welcome around 4.3 million visitors. Tourism accounts for roughly 30% of Jamaica's GDP (directly and indirectly) and employs about 175,000 people, meaning the sector's disruption has immediate ripple effects across construction, banking, utilities, agriculture and local small businesses.
Many hotels and attractions in Kingston and the northern coast have seen increased bookings from aid workers and volunteers. Some properties are offering reduced rates — typically 25%–50% discounts — and complimentary stays to support relief operations and displaced residents. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said he expects the sector to be largely restored by Dec. 15, though recovery timelines will vary: larger chains may reopen quickly, while smaller hotels and vendors face longer rebuilds.
Lives and livelihoods disrupted
Housekeepers, craft vendors and other local workers have reported immediate income losses. "This storm didn't just destroy buildings; it shattered jobs and incomes for many of us and our families," said Patricia Mighten, a housekeeper in Hanover. Craft vendor Desrine Smith in Falmouth added: "We survive on daily earnings, and now everything is uncertain. The hurricane has impacted our pockets hard."
Relief operations and remaining needs
Relief crews are still trying to reach 25 isolated areas in western Jamaica, with helicopters delivering food and supplies to cut-off communities. Nearly half of the island's electricity customers remain without power, and communication outages continue to hamper damage assessments and recovery efforts.
Officials and private-sector leaders say rebuilding tourism infrastructure and restoring basic services are priorities not only for economic reasons but to help communities recover livelihoods and return some normalcy to daily life.