Overview of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa was a devastating Category 5 hurricane that struck the Caribbean in late October 2025. It made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, causing catastrophic damage and significant loss of life.
Impact on Jamaica
- Destruction: The hurricane caused widespread devastation in Jamaica, with reports indicating that 80-90% of roofs were destroyed. Key infrastructure, including hospitals and police stations, were heavily damaged.
- Casualties: Initial reports confirmed at least 32 deaths in Jamaica, with many more injured and missing. The total number of fatalities across the Caribbean reached at least 95.
- Response Efforts: The Jamaican government declared a disaster, and relief efforts were mobilized, including the deployment of volunteers and emergency supplies.
KASSSI’s support for the Westmoreland region
KASSSI supports the community of Westmoreland with its various initiatives, and support for children and families. The three schools which are upmost in this endeavour are: Kings Primary School, Petersville School All-Age-School and New Hope School. The images below depict some of the damage to the schools and the extent of the devastation that was wrought on these communities.
Comments from KASSSI CEO, Garth:
Huge trees are uplifted and tossed asunder, leaving ditches like hideous potholes or caverns inviting inspection. Houses dissociate themselves from zinc roofs that are now scattered in fields and planted in the soils where the trees once occupied. Millions of tons of water cascaded down the many hills… ravaging the environment, trashing homes, removing walls, windows, doors and animals from the fields.
People spoke of the sounds of the winds, howling, growling, switching direction without warning, then crying out like animals, like children- Water appearing to come through walls, through closed windows, before hammering down doors and grabbing some inhabitants, who sort the sanctuary of a bathroom- or others who battened down in their kitchens.
Many perished. Found days later in their homes or washed- up elsewhere. Some, like my mummy Miss Vie, was mercifully rescued by her son Robert and his wife Angella and taken to their home where she remains to this day. Others were not as lucky. Indeed, as we drove towards Sav- la- mar, the capital of Westmoreland, we observed many people on the roads with signs pleading for help and support. “We are hungry and homeless” “My home has gone” “Mi dehya, wid nutt’n” reads one sign held by a woman with one child in one arm and another child slightly older, clutching to her left leg.
Many shops are beginning to reopen. However, residents are unable to afford the products, which have rocketed in costs. How do you spend what you haven’t got? The tourist industry is reeling, laying off staff and some closing down entirely. No electricity. No, fan/ air conditioning. No light. No fridge… so, the food will go off in one day! The schools returned to tarpaulin- covered roofs and traumatised children afraid of even a hint of rain.
Agencies are busy giving out food packages. However, one person commented that there was no ‘can- opener’ provided! “Ow mi-go get to eat the bully beef?” But, what, about rebuilding houses? Communities are ravaged. Families are disrupted… DISLOCATED… DISLODGED!
Running water mixed with sewer… sanitation crisis/ catastrophe. Cars and other vehicles, trying to navigate roads awash with newly formed gullies and trenches, which swallowed some along with occupants. So, drivers needed to guess the terrain as they drove along, applying meticulous observation and careful attention to the vehicle in front… whilst adhering to the clues delivered. This could be a matter of life and death- LITERALLY!
Thank you all for your contributions towards the rebuilding, (£6,019.19 to date) which will take a considerable input, finances and time. Continued blessings.
Garth’s visit to the affected areas:
The KASSSI CEO, Garth Walcott (pictured in the 1st image) visited Westmoreland to liaise with community members and support teams to hand out aid, provisions and funds. The last image is of Garth alongside his mother ‘Miss Vie’ during her 96th birthday celebrations.
Ted
