Very bad news in Jamaica after Melissa's arrival

The Category 5 storm brought winds of up to 185 miles per hour (around 300 km/h), tearing through homes, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Within just a few hours, torrential rain turned roads into rivers. In several areas, flash flooding rose high enough to engulf cars completely, while power outages affected nearly 250,000 people, according to CNN.

Emergency officials say that large parts of the island are still inaccessible due to debris and fallen power lines.

Local radio station Nationwide90FM reported that the roof of Savanna-La-Mar Hospital in western Jamaica was ripped off by the ferocious winds, forcing staff to evacuate patients to safer sections of the building.

Another hospital sustained significant structural damage as well, worsening an already critical situation.

Before Melissa made landfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an urgent advisory to Jamaicans, warning them to take shelter in interior rooms without windows.

«Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside,» the NHC said. «Cover yourself with a mattress and wear a helmet for added protection.»

Despite these precautions, the damage has been catastrophic. Videos shared on social media show roofs being torn away, trees uprooted, and residents clinging to safety as powerful gusts and floodwaters sweep through their neighborhoods.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency, urging residents to remain inside shelters and stay off the roads.

Rescue operations are underway, but high winds and flooded streets have made it nearly impossible for first responders to reach the hardest-hit communities.

The Jamaican army and disaster response teams are now coordinating relief efforts while monitoring the storm's ongoing path.

Meteorologists warn that landslides and additional flooding are still possible as heavy rain continues to drench the island.

Melissa is now moving north toward Cuba, where hurricane warnings have already been issued. Although slightly weakened, experts stress that the storm remains extremely dangerous and capable of causing widespread devastation.