Jamaica Devastated By Menacing Hurricane Melissa: Widespread Power Outages, Internet Blackout, & Severe Infrastructure Damage

Jamaica Devastated By Menacing Hurricane Melissa: Widespread Power Outages, Internet Blackout, & Severe Infrastructure Damage

TYLER DURDEN

Hurricane Melissa pummeled southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, before making landfall in Cuba early Wednesday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 hurricane.

Damage assessment in Jamaica will begin today, and those with Starlink connectivity on the battered island will be broadcasting the devastating aftermath of a storm that has already caused widespread electricity and internet outages, mainly in the western and central regions.

"There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5," Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated, adding, "The question now is the speed of recovery. That's the challenge."

Energy and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz told Sky News that eastern regions, including Kingston, were largely spared, but reports from other areas, particularly the western part of the island nation, were entirely devastated by sustained winds of 185 mph, which downed power and telecom lines. 

"We're hoping to be able to do an assessment tomorrow, but as of right now, the reports that are coming in are catastrophic," Vaz said in an interview. "Not very much survives a Category 5 hurricane, in terms of infrastructure."

Footage on social media shows extensive damage. Those with holiday plans to visit Jamaican resorts may want to check on the status of the resort.

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