Terrifying recent video footage displays the immense power of Hurricane Melissa as it unleashed destructive winds on numerous homes in Jamaica. Shared by Ground Force Humanitarian Aid on Facebook, the video has garnered over 911,000 views, capturing one of the most potent storms in history hitting the island.
The footage exhibits ferocious winds ravaging a coastal community, with hurricane gusts ripping through streets and hurling debris into the air. The scenes depict cars and homes engulfed by floodwaters, while locals navigate chest-deep storm surges amidst the ongoing hurricane onslaught.
Following the catastrophic weather event, Jamaica has been declared a disaster zone, prompting emergency crews to undertake rescue missions for those stranded by the floods.
The clip, accompanied by a somber message from the aid group, conveyed their efforts to establish a SAFE Camp for operational safety amidst the crisis, emphasizing the need for prayers for the team’s safety in uncharted territories.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall from the Atlantic with wind speeds reaching 185mph, resulting in at least seven fatalities, widespread destruction of homes, isolation of communities, and extensive flooding. Termed the “storm of the century,” it narrowly missed being the strongest ever recorded over that ocean by just 5mph.
Prior to the hurricane’s arrival, the Jamaican government enforced evacuations in high-risk zones, shut down all airports, and urged citizens to seek shelter. The US National Hurricane Center cautioned about the potential for “total structural failure” due to the intense winds at the eye of the storm.
Despite Kingston being outside the direct path of the hurricane, the city streets lay deserted, pounded by heavy rain and debris flying in the wind. Across the island, frightened residents sought refuge in various shelters, while some disregarded evacuation orders, raising concerns for their safety.
Forecasters predict that Hurricane Melissa, the most formidable storm in Jamaica’s history, could inflict further devastation as it heads towards Cuba. Nearly 900,000 residents in eastern provinces of Cuba have been instructed to evacuate, with the US Navy taking precautions by moving personnel and warships from Guantanamo Bay out of harm’s way.
The United Nations World Food Programme has strategically positioned 450 metric tons of emergency food supplies in neighboring Haiti, albeit acknowledging that it falls short of the usual demand in such emergencies.