The Meteorological Service of Jamaica said the hurricane — classified as Category 5 at landfall — struck the island’s southwestern coast near New Hope, Westmoreland, with maximum sustained winds of around 295 kilometres per hour (185 miles per hour).

The storm brought torrential rain and destructive winds across Jamaica, with up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) of rainfall expected in some areas, triggering flash floods and landslides, the BBC reported.

“The winds are so strong you would not be able to stand up,” a Jamaican resident told the broadcaster.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie said all designated hurricane shelters will remain open to accommodate those affected. Nearly 15,000 people are currently being housed in shelters across the island, he said at a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Kingston.

“It is safe to say that our shelters have seen increased numbers,” McKenzie said. “We also notice that in some communities, residents have created makeshift shelters, and we’ve managed to get limited supplies to most of them.”

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the entire country a disaster area.

“We must continue to proactively maintain stability, protect consumers, and prevent any exploitation at a time when citizens are securing food, water, and supplies,” Holness said, according to CNN.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said about 25,000 tourists are currently in Jamaica. She assured that the Ministry of Tourism is coordinating with hotels to ensure their safety.

“There is no need to worry. The Ministry of Tourism has a command centre in constant communication with all hotels and is providing the necessary support to keep tourists as safe as possible,” she said.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on X (formerly Twitter) that Hurricane Melissa is restrengthening as it moves toward eastern Cuba.

“Melissa restrengthening as it approaches eastern Cuba. Expected to make landfall there as an extremely dangerous major hurricane in the next few hours,” the NHC said.

Melissa is one of the strongest storms to hit the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) is coordinating a sea-lift operation from Barbados, carrying essential supplies from the International Organization for Migration, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and WFP itself.

“Some 2,000 relief kits are also planned for deployment once airports reopen and the weather conditions permit flights”, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

In collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and a joint aid hub established in Barbados, WFP is “instrumental” in the ongoing disaster response, with support from the European Union and Canada, emphasised Dujarric.