Video shows widespread damage across Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Footage recorded in the wake of Hurricane Melissa reveals extensive destruction in several Jamaican communities, underscoring the storm’s impact before it moved north toward Bermuda and farther into the Atlantic.

The video, circulated shortly after the cyclone’s passage, documents scenes of flattened structures, debris-strewn streets and toppled utility poles. Residents are seen walking through flood-soaked neighborhoods, checking homes and businesses that sustained heavy structural loss. The material offers one of the first comprehensive visual accounts of the damage left behind on the island.

Hurricane Melissa swept over Jamaica earlier this week, bringing conditions severe enough to leave a “devastating aftermath,” according to descriptions that accompanied the recording. While local authorities have not yet released official tallies of property damage or injuries, the images indicate that both urban and rural districts experienced significant impact. Emergency crews and volunteers appear in the footage clearing roadways and assessing the stability of remaining buildings.

After passing Jamaica, Melissa tracked north and brushed past Bermuda. Forecasters noted that the system “raced away from Bermuda,” sparing the British territory from a direct landfall but still generating strong offshore winds and rough seas. The hurricane has since continued on a northeasterly track, weakening as it encounters cooler waters.

In the United States, remnants of the system contributed to inland rain and gusty conditions across parts of the Northeast. Weather agencies warned of localized flooding on saturated ground and urged drivers to remain cautious on slick roads. The storm’s residual energy also factored into Halloween forecasts, with meteorologists advising parents to monitor local advisories before trick-or-treat outings.

Jamaica’s recovery phase began as soon as winds subsided. The video highlights residents using hand tools and heavy machinery to remove fallen trees, clear blocked drainage channels and restore limited access to main thoroughfares. Power restoration teams can be seen inspecting downed lines, though no timetable for full service resumption has been provided.

Hurricanes commonly disrupt critical infrastructure such as electricity, potable water distribution and telecommunications. The Jamaican government has not issued a comprehensive statement on the extent of service interruptions, but the footage suggests widespread outages. Local media outlets reported intermittent cell coverage in areas shown in the recording.

Imagem: imagem internet 14

While detailed meteorological data on Melissa’s peak intensity over Jamaica were not included in the publicly available material, forecasters typically monitor parameters such as sustained wind speed, central pressure and rainfall totals to classify cyclone strength. Additional technical information will likely be compiled in a post-storm report by regional weather agencies and the U.S. National Hurricane Center, which tracks tropical systems throughout the Atlantic basin.

Recovery efforts often progress in stages, beginning with search and rescue, followed by restoration of essential services and long-term rebuilding. The video captures what appears to be the initial cleanup stage, with focus on making streets passable and ensuring basic safety around unstable structures. Community organizations are shown coordinating volunteer labor, distributing bottled water and providing temporary shelter for families whose homes were rendered uninhabitable.

As Melissa moves farther into the open ocean, meteorologists will continue to examine the storm’s evolution and its interaction with prevailing weather patterns affecting North America. In the meantime, residents in Jamaica face the immediate task of repairing homes, reopening schools and businesses, and addressing the broader economic toll associated with a severe tropical cyclone.

Crédito da imagem: Original news footage