Kingston, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, one of the most destructive storms ever to hit Jamaica, national attention is turning from emergency response to long-term resilience. With at least 32 people confirmed dead, dozens still missing, and insured losses estimated at more than US $4 billion, the country now faces a defining moment in how it prepares for the future.
Entire communities across St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James were devastated, with towns like Black River reporting catastrophic damage — as many as 90% of homes lost their roofs.
“It’s one thing to watch videos online,” said Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes. “But to live through this storm, to walk through the wreckage and see what people are going through — it’s heartbreaking. And it’s a reminder that we must build smarter, not just rebuild what we had.”
A Turning Point in Jamaica’s Building Culture
Melissa struck with sustained winds near 185 mph, exposing weaknesses in building codes, coastal planning, and emergency readiness. Experts and industry leaders are calling for upgrades including:
- Concrete roofs, especially for government and public buildings
- Mandatory hurricane straps and anchoring systems
- Elevated structures and reinforced foundations in coastal areas
Engineers warn that with more powerful storms becoming the new normal, traditional lightweight roofing systems are no longer fit for purpose in many parts of the island.
Stronger Shelters and Public Infrastructure
Authorities are being urged to lead by example. Emergency shelters, hospitals, schools, and municipal buildings must be built to withstand extreme weather, equipped with:
- Reinforced concrete structures
- Backup electricity systems
- Satellite communication redundancy
- Storm-rated windows and elevation where possible
“We cannot afford shelters that fail during a hurricane,” Jones emphasized. “If a roof goes, lives go with it.”
Power and Communications Reform
At the peak of the storm, 77% of customers lost power. Communications also failed in multiple parishes.
To avoid crippling nationwide outages in future events, resilience advocates are pushing for:
- Solar + battery microgrids for critical sites
- Satellite emergency networks, such as Starlink, alongside traditional telecoms
- Hardened power infrastructure and elevated substations
- Community-level emergency power hubs
Modern Disaster Planning
Experts say Jamaica must update its disaster planning playbook to assume multiple major hurricanes in a single year.
Recommendations include:
- Revised disaster management policies
- More frequent public evacuation drills
- Rapid-response assessment teams pre-positioned during hurricane season
- Better community awareness and preparation programs
This is not just about rebuilding what was lost, but reshaping how Jamaica approaches climate risk.
A Nation Ready to Rise Again
There is strong consensus that Jamaica must not simply repair — it must reinvent.
Jones put it simply:
“This tragedy must be the turning point. We owe it to the families who lost everything to build a Jamaica that cana stand strong against the storms to come.”
For many Jamaicans, Melissa has become a painful moment of reckoning — and a rallying call for stronger homes, stronger systems, and a stronger future.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information available at the time of writing and is intended for general informational purposes only. Statistics, figures, and statements quoted from public sources, including comments by Dean Jones of Jamaica Homes, reflect conditions reported following Hurricane Melissa. The article does not represent the official position of any government agency or organization mentioned. Readers are encouraged to refer to verified disaster management updates and official channels for the most current and accurate information.