McKenzie: Falmouth devastation as bad as Black River
Published:Monday | November 10, 2025 | 12:38 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The devastation in Falmouth, Trelawny, rivals that of Black River, St Elizabeth, according to Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, who described the post-hurricane destruction there as “frightening”.
After a nearly five-hour tour of the town on Saturday, McKenzie said the extent of the damage to infrastructure, public buildings, and markets was among the worst he has seen since Hurricane Melissa made landfall.
“If I am to make a comparison with Falmouth and Black River, the only thing that Falmouth has over Black River is commercial activity,” he said. “But the extent of the damage to the infrastructure of Falmouth is frightening.”
The Trelawny Infirmary, which once housed more than 100 residents and staff, is among the facilities hardest hit.
“There is no way that that infirmary will be able, anytime soon, to take back residents that used to occupy it,” McKenzie said.
He did not give a timeline for repairs, indicating only that the ministry is assessing relocation options for displaced residents. The parish’s drop-in centre and homeless shelter, however, survived with minor window and door damage.
Heritage Buildings and Fire Station Impacted
The Falmouth Municipal Building, a Georgian-era landmark, also sustained severe damage. McKenzie said he would consult with Culture Minister Olivia Grange and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on how best to preserve heritage integrity, while ensuring safety.
At the Falmouth Fire Station, firefighters continue to operate despite personal hardship.
“When I look at firefighters who have to be living out of the fire station because they have lost their homes, that is the kind of Jamaica we want – people who make sacrifices even amid their own challenges,” he said.
Turning his attention to the Falmouth Market, constructed in 2015 with support from the Port Authority of Jamaica, McKenzie said its location and layout will be reviewed.
“It is clear that not much thought was given to the relocation,” he said. “But I’m prepared to engage Professor Gordon Shirley to see what can be done.”
He ordered clean-up efforts to begin today, to allow vendors to return indoors once the debris is cleared and JPS removes the fallen wires. The Government will also work with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to assist vendors who lost goods.
McKenzie further directed Trelawny Mayor Collen Gager to ramp up drain cleaning and hire additional trucks for debris removal. He said he would seek the Port Authority’s permission to use a temporary waylay station as a holding site for garbage before disposal.
Appealing for calm, McKenzie acknowledged the frustration among residents and vendors but urged patience as recovery work continues.
“Rome was not built in a day,” he said. “The Government of Dr Andrew Holness is working for PNP (People’s National Party), JLP (Jamaica Labour Party), whatever ‘P’. We are a caring government, and that is why we are doing what we are doing now.”
He added that other parts of the island are also reeling from the hurricane.
“Some communities are still struggling to get a basic drink of water,” McKenzie said. “I’m not saying people must not be upset, but we must also consider the plight of others.”