MoBay devastated

Western Bureau”

When the sun rose on Wednesday morning, Montego Bay was a shadow of its former self. The popular tourism gem, once known for its lively streets and welcoming beaches, had been torn apart by the fury of Hurricane Melissa onTuesday night. Residents woke to find homes, businesses, hotels and iconic landmarks stripped of their roofs and windows, leaving behind scenes of destruction.

The aftermath of the Category 4 storm – which initially made landfall as a Category 5 before weakening on its way to Montego Bay – left many residents trapped in their communities for hours. Armed with machetes, some locals ventured out to clear debris from the roads, but still, only limited travel was possible as some key routes remained blocked by fallen trees, rubble, and wrecked vehicles.

With the storm having knocked out electricity and phone services, the fear of not being able to reach loved ones added to the anxiety. Many people, unable to contact relatives, were left worrying about their safety.

In Cornwall Court, one of Montego Bay’s largest communities, entire sections were submerged and at least two churches were totally devastated, leaving only the floors behind.

At least seven homes in the new Porto Bello housing scheme were completely flooded, with the water rising halfway up the houses. Some residents were trapping outside, unable to get back inside. Cars were also inundated, some left buried in floodwaters.

Further into the heart of Montego Bay, the damage was widespread. St James Street was littered with broken glass, shattered concrete, and fallen trees. Streets once bustling with tourists and locals were now empty, as iconic spots like the Decameron Hotel and Aqua Sol Theme Park sustained significant damage. The Hip Strip, Montego Bay’s famous tourism corridor, stood desolate.

Irwindale, a nearby community, saw complete devastation, with most houses stripped of their roofs and debris scattered across the streets. One local resident, Naomi Frater, described the terror she experienced as the storm tore off the roof of her home while she moved from room to room, struggling to stay safe. She was eventually rescued by a neighbour and taken in for shelter.

The destruction extended throughout the region. In Irwin, more cars were washed away, and roads were reduced to single-lane traffic due to debris. Alice Eldemire Drive and other key routes saw similar conditions, with the lack of power leaving businesses shuttered and residents facing an increasing sense of despair. Several people voiced concerns that they were hungry and could not find any food.

As The Gleaner team made its way to Hopewell in Hanover, the destruction there mirrored what was seen in Montego Bay. The Great River Showground, a well-known tourism attraction on the St James-Hanover border, was completely wrecked. The surrounding area was littered with fallen trees, while residents took it upon themselves to manage traffic and clear the roads due to the absence of the police.

Hopewell’s residential and commercial structures also took a severe hit, with most houses along the main road left without roofs. Schools were extensively damaged, as were churches.

For many, the scale of destruction was beyond comprehension. Long-time residents of the area, who had experienced storms before, described Melissa’s impact as the most devastating they had ever witnessed.

The damage wasn’t limited to residential and tourism areas. Key infrastructure also took a hit, including the Cornwall Regional Hospital. While the main hospital building remained intact, surrounding structures, including the nurses’ quarters, were heavily damaged. Nearby, the Mount Salem Police Station saw its barracks torn apart, though the main station itself remained largely unaffected.

As Montego Bay and its surrounding areas continue to assess the damage, there is a collective sense of disbelief. Many residents expressed their concerns about how they will rebuild their homes, and whether they would have a safe place to sleep, as the storm’s lingering effects continue to disrupt daily life.