By Dean Jones – Chartered Construction Manager, Project Manager, Surveyor, and Realtor
Originally published on Jamaica Homes News
A Nation Tested Beyond Measure
Hurricane Melissa has left an indelible mark on Jamaica — not just on the landscape, but on the nation’s conscience. With sustained winds exceeding 185 miles per hour, the Category 5 storm tore across the island, ripping apart homes, uprooting communities, and testing the limits of Jamaica’s infrastructure and digital resilience.
Entire districts in Westmoreland, Black River, and Treasure Beach have been described as “ground zero.” Local assessments indicate that up to 80–90% of roofs in some communities were destroyed. The scenes resemble the aftermath of war — neighbourhoods flattened, homes peeled open, and residents struggling to rebuild from scratch.
“It’s as if a nuclear blast hit,” says Dean Jones, a Chartered Construction Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). “Melissa didn’t just strip roofs; it exposed the weak seams in how we plan, build, and connect as a nation.”
A Silent Blackout After the Storm
While Jamaica has faced hurricanes before, Hurricane Melissa revealed a new kind of vulnerability — one of disconnection.
After the winds calmed, the country’s two major telecommunications providers — Digicel and Flow — went offline, leaving thousands unable to contact loved ones or access funds. ATMs and card systems froze, and without internet, the digital economy simply stopped.
“The irony,” Jones noted, “is that the networks survived the storm itself, only to collapse after it. That delay shows our real weakness — we don’t have resilient recovery systems.”
Without power or connectivity, communities were left to fend for themselves. Generators sold out, roads were blocked, and even those with internet-capable devices couldn’t connect. For days, Jamaica stood in digital silence, a reminder that technology without redundancy is no safety net at all.
From Structural Damage to Systemic Failure
As Jones explains, resilience isn’t about surviving the storm — it’s about recovering afterward.
“Many of Jamaica’s buildings were never designed to withstand Category 5 conditions,” he said. “And while we can’t make every home hurricane-proof, we can make them hurricane-resistant.”
One of the simplest measures, hurricane straps, remains inconsistently applied. These small, metal connectors that tie roofs to walls are legally mandated in the U.S. and Cayman Islands, but not in Jamaica.
“Even when hurricane straps are used,” Jones adds, “roofs can still peel off in 185-mph winds. We need to go further — reinforced concrete roofs should be the standard for government buildings, schools, and hospitals.”
The message is clear: Jamaica must build for survival, not speed.
Digital Infrastructure: The Next Frontier
Jones, who has managed major projects for the Houses of Parliament in London, Cranfield University, and the UK Defence Academy, says the storm revealed that digital resilience is as vital as physical resilience.
“When a nation goes offline, it doesn’t just lose connection — it loses productivity, access, and peace of mind,” he said.
He proposes solar-powered microgrids, satellite-backed connectivity, and local resilience hubs that double as communication centres in disasters. “Digital real estate,” Jones argues, “is just as important as physical real estate.”
Airports, Access, and National Strategy
With both of Jamaica’s major airports closed during the storm, isolation became a national vulnerability. Jones suggests that expanding Ian Fleming International Airport to accommodate larger aircraft could transform it into a third international gateway — a strategic backup when others are down.
“Three operational international airports in different regions would make Jamaica more resilient,” he explains. “If two are closed, one can still function. That’s how we keep trade, aid, and hope moving.”
Rebuilding Smarter, Not Just Stronger
Jones is calling for a National Resilience Programme to help homeowners retrofit and strengthen their properties — through grants, micro-loans, and technical training for builders. He believes this approach, paired with mandatory building codes, could transform the country’s vulnerability into a blueprint for resilience.
“We can’t just rebuild what was lost. We have to redesign what’s next,” he says. “Resilience is not about walls that don’t fall — it’s about people who don’t give up.”
The Human Spirit Remains Unbroken
Even amid devastation, the spirit of the Jamaican people endures. Communities continue to share food, laughter, and music — even as they clear the wreckage of their homes.
“It’s humbling to see Jamaicans dancing and playing dominoes while rivers run through their streets,” Jones says. “But that resilience shouldn’t be our only defence. It’s time for policy, planning, and partnership.”
A Call for Leadership and Innovation
Jones’s message is not one of despair but of determination. He calls on the government, private sector, and international partners to act now — to enforce modern building codes, invest in climate adaptation, and treat connectivity as a public necessity, not a luxury.
He also extended a public appeal to innovators and tech leaders, including Elon Musk, to help strengthen Jamaica’s communication network:
“We need to be connected — regardless of whether a storm or earthquake hits. It’s 2025. Jamaica can’t afford to be left behind.”
The Conversation Starts Now
Hurricane Melissa has changed the landscape — and the conversation. For Jamaica, this is a moment not just to rebuild, but to redefine resilience.
To read the full reflection and expert commentary by Dean Jones, visit Jamaica Homes News.
Disclaimer
This article reflects the professional views and observations of Dean Jones, Chartered Construction Manager, Surveyor, and Realtor, following Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica. It is intended for public awareness and discussion on national resilience, infrastructure reform, and digital preparedness. While hurricane straps can significantly reduce roof damage, even properly installed straps may fail under extreme conditions. Therefore, reinforced concrete roofing should be considered a higher standard for government buildings, hospitals, and schools. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of Jamaica Homes or its affiliates.