Hurricane Melissa Damaged 215,000 Buildings

Approximately 215,000 buildings sustained varying levels of damage from the passage of Hurricane Melissa, says Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle.

“Across the island, some 1.6 million buildings have been assessed by GeoAI. Of that number, we have now assessed 215,000 to have some level of damage. It is estimated that 156,000 of these buildings will have varying degrees of roof damage,” he noted.

“The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, with strong sectoral support, has been able, to date, to complete some 31,000 damage assessments as we work to ensure all buildings are assessed and develop plans for immediate sheltering and the rebuilding,” he said.

Commander Gayle provided the update during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on December 3.
Category Five Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 and caused catastrophic damage to sections of the island.

Meanwhile, Commander Gayle informed that just over 100 shipments, representing more than 2,000 metric tons of relief supplies, have entered Jamaica.

These include food, hygiene products, medical supplies, shelter material, and other equipment.

Additionally, he said the National Logistics System operated by the ODPEM continues to be strengthened with support from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), the World Food Programme, and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

He noted, too, that the Disaster Management Information System, which houses the inventory portal for the ODPEM, has been rolled out. He added that system development continues at pace.

Meanwhile, Commander Gayle informed that the Jamaica Public Service is now at some 80 per cent of restoration, adding that work continues on the national grid. He noted, too, that more than 90 per cent of post-Melissa traffic is back online through Digicel and Flow.

“They continue with their restorations,” he said.

He further disclosed that 73 schools continue to house displaced citizens and that processes are under way to have persons go back to their own safe shelter.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is driving that process, and is strongly supported by the ODPEM,” he added.

The Director General said restoration of automated teller machines (ATMs) and remittance outlets across the island remains a vital component in the restoration efforts. He pointed out that 39 per cent of Jamaicans receive remittances monthly.

“Thus far, in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St. James, these have seen about 50 per cent restoration rates for ATMs and remittance companies. The parish of Hanover is at 20 per cent, and Trelawny is at 47 per cent,” he noted.

The Director General indicated that the national response remains grounded in coordination, transparency and partnership across government, civil society, international actors and the Jamaican people.

“While significant progress has been made, ODPEM acknowledges that recovery is ongoing, and we remain committed to supporting every community, strengthening resilience and restoring normalcy across the island of Jamaica quickly and as safely as possible,” he said.