Shocking aerial footage has revealed the true scale of destruction left in Hurricane Melissa's wake as the powerful storm battered Jamaica with unprecedented force. The catastrophic weather event has transformed once-vibrant communities into scenes of utter devastation.
A Landscape Transformed by Fury
Drone cameras captured neighbourhoods completely submerged beneath murky floodwaters, with only rooftops visible where homes once stood. The relentless winds tore buildings apart, scattering debris across vast areas and leaving once-bustling streets unrecognisable.
Critical Infrastructure in Ruins
The hurricane's ferocious power demolished essential services and public spaces:
- Road networks severed by floodwaters and landslides
- Power lines downed across multiple parishes
- Communication systems critically compromised
- Agricultural lands devastated by saltwater intrusion
Emergency Response Mobilised
Rescue teams are working against time to reach isolated communities as the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes apparent. Emergency shelters have been established across the island, though many remain inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure.
The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency while international aid organisations are coordinating relief efforts for what officials are calling one of the most destructive storms to hit the island in recent memory.
