Five days after Hurricane Melissa pummelled into western Jamaica with record force, residents in devastated communities along the coast are still desperately waiting for help.
Many of the roads are blocked by debris and people are isolated with little food, no power or running water, and no idea of when normalcy will return.
The government said on Saturday that at least 28 people in Jamaica have died since the hurricane hit as a monster category five storm with 185 mph (297km/h) sustained winds. That is a near 50% jump in the death toll overnight, and the number could rise as officials clear their way into new parts of the island in the coming days.
Local official Dr Dayton Campbell told the BBC that 10 out of these deaths were in Westmoreland, a parish that has seen significant damage, estimated at 90% of homes destroyed in the neighboring St Elizabeth parish.
Officials and locals are working through the rubble, attempting to clear roadways choked with fallen trees and debris. Despite a state of emergency and the plea for aid, many feel neglected as assistance has been slow and insufficient.
Residents voice their frustration, with cries for immediate food and water supplies echoing throughout the affected areas. In a poignant reflection, local Bob Morris lamented the destruction of his fishing village, stating simply: “Melissa take everything down.” With hope flickering, community leaders emphasize resilience amidst the devastation, promising to rebuild with the help of incoming aid from foreign sources like the US State Department and the UK.
As the situation unfolds, the path to recovery appears long and arduous, with the immediate need for essential support growing increasingly critical.
Many of the roads are blocked by debris and people are isolated with little food, no power or running water, and no idea of when normalcy will return.
The government said on Saturday that at least 28 people in Jamaica have died since the hurricane hit as a monster category five storm with 185 mph (297km/h) sustained winds. That is a near 50% jump in the death toll overnight, and the number could rise as officials clear their way into new parts of the island in the coming days.
Local official Dr Dayton Campbell told the BBC that 10 out of these deaths were in Westmoreland, a parish that has seen significant damage, estimated at 90% of homes destroyed in the neighboring St Elizabeth parish.
Officials and locals are working through the rubble, attempting to clear roadways choked with fallen trees and debris. Despite a state of emergency and the plea for aid, many feel neglected as assistance has been slow and insufficient.
Residents voice their frustration, with cries for immediate food and water supplies echoing throughout the affected areas. In a poignant reflection, local Bob Morris lamented the destruction of his fishing village, stating simply: “Melissa take everything down.” With hope flickering, community leaders emphasize resilience amidst the devastation, promising to rebuild with the help of incoming aid from foreign sources like the US State Department and the UK.
As the situation unfolds, the path to recovery appears long and arduous, with the immediate need for essential support growing increasingly critical.
