Hurricanes
Hurricane Melissa
USA
CAT 5 / CAT 4 - Major Hurricane
28 October, 2025 Hurricane Melissa was a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in southwestern / central Jamaica, moving from southwest toward northeast (towards eastern Cuba and Bahamas).
It made landfall in Jamaica as a CAT 5 with winds of over +250mph in gusts and over 500mm of rainfall making it is the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s history and the 2nd most intense hurricane in Atlantic history.
Hurricane Melissa also brought flooding in the days prior to landfall in Jamaica to Haiti and the Dominican Republic (25-27th October 2025).
Current damage estimates are in excess of $8 billion with 84 confirmed fatalities.
Damages Inflicted
The six most severely impacted parishes in Jamaica
- Manchester: Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope in Manchester Parish, marking the epicenter of destruction. Homes, roads, and public infrastructure were devastated.
- Elizabeth: Coastal towns like Alligator Pond were inundated, with widespread damage to roads and buildings.
- Trelawny & Hanover: These northern parishes suffered extensive wind damage and flooding, disrupting transportation and utilities.
- Westmoreland: Communities such as Negril saw severe structural damage, particularly to tourism infrastructure.
- James: Montego Bay and surrounding areas experienced flooding and power outages, with satellite imagery showing widespread destruction. Popular area with all-inclusive luxury resorts.
See below for a map of the various parishes in Jamaica:
Source: Administrative Map of Jamaica – Nations Online Project
Flood and Infrastructure Status
Source: Satellite Data Reveals Hurricane Melissa Devastation in Jamaica
Power Outages
- From Montego Bay to Ochos Rios / Negril
- Power lines down (poles snapped in half all along 80 km stretch along northern highway) – generators only
Source: PDC Global
Damage Assessment
Summary of damages witnessed by MDD while traveling from Kingston to Montego Bay:
- Kingston generally unaffected – (no visible signs of power, internet, water, or cell network interruption)
- Southern coast and Clarendon parish area – no major damage, east of damaged areas
- Travel from Ocho Rios to Montego Bay and Negril:
- Minimal damage through the central mountains until Golden Grove in St. Ann parish
- Between Montego Bay and Negril, damage visibly reduced – minimal debris comparably, still no power
- Notable damage near Ocho Rios, and along northern highway A1 westward to Negril
- No power along the route – likely only generator
- Water treatment down
- Power lines down (some poles snapped in half all along 80 km stretch along northern highway) – generators only
- Fortified buildings sustained some damage. Many windows still intact.
- Unfortified building (most common) suffered damages to trees, roofs, etc.
- No traffic signals operable between Ocho Rios and Negril
- 40 km east of Montego Bay to about Lacea (about 50 km west of MB) experienced the heaviest damage of the northern side of the island
- Debris and some wind damage (mostly roofs) but minimal window damage
- Shopping centers remain closed
- Many gas stations open / operable
- Cell coverage was maintained except for a handful of places
Transport Routes
Airports
- Kingston – Norman Manly International Airport – open and operable
- Ochos Rios – Ian Flemming International Airport – TBC / believed to be open for relief flights only
- Montego Bay – Sangster International Airport – re-opened 31-Oct-25. Operating at slightly reduced capacity, 7 damaged gates remain closed
Harbor / Cruises
- The main cruise ports in Jamaica are:
- Ocho Rios – now closed – being used for relief efforts (Carnival cruise)
- Montego Bay – now closed –no major structural damage reported
- Falmouth – now closed
- Port Antonio – status unknown – smaller port, limited cruise traffic, potential rainfall / landslides
- All ports are temporarily closed and hoping to re-open for full tourism operations by 15-Dec-25 (When Jamaica cruises should resume post-Hurricane Melissa – TravelHost)
Road
- Intercity road conditions continue to improve according to local reports (Several blocked roads cleared to restore access to communities – Jamaica Observer)
- No major ingress / egress issues – no problems driving the primary roads (Ocho Rios to Negril), however no traffic signals operable
Business Interruption Coverage Issues
- Wide Area Damage
- Contingent Business Interruption vs Business Interruption
- Flood vs Storm Damage
Early involvement of the appropriate experts can help with the need for any mitigation efforts.
MDD has considerable expertise in dealing with these types of claims and the complexities that may occur. Experts like those of us at MDD will stress the need for proper audit protocols, controlling and sorting of costs and accounting for any potential saved expenses.
