Hurricane Melissa Situation Report #3
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- Nov 2
- 3 min read
Jamaica Highlights:
· The storm surge reached as high as 16 feet in some places in the Black River area.
· The situation in the southern part of the country remains “apocalyptic” according to the WFP, with homes submerged, roads blocked, and people sleeping in the streets.
· The Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness reported the following between October 30-31:
o The Savanna-la-Mar Hospital remains in emergency mode.
o Bellevue Hospital has resumed normal operations.
o Damages were reported at the Cornwall Regional Hospital but the hospital is still providing emergency care.
o The Kingston Public Hospital outpatient and inpatient services are fully operational.
o The Mandeville Regional Hospital remains operational with only minor damage reported. The hospital’s outpatient department has been converted to accommodate patients evacuated from the Black River Hospital.
o The restoration of health centers throughout the island is progressing.
o There is an urgent need for nurses to support patient care, especially at the Black River Hospital.
· Infrastructure Updates (October 31st):
o Electricity restoration is progressing, with key parishes expected to regain most service by November 2nd.
o Petrojam facilities are operational and fuel deliveries to affected areas are underway, with police support to ensure safe distribution.
o The island’s communication networks are gradually being restored, with Flow at 40% capacity, Digicel at 31%, and Starlink systems are being deployed to support essential services and community wireless networks.
· International Assistance Updates:
o A UN Rapid Needs Assessment Team has been deployed.
o The World Food Programme (WFP) has been assisting the government with logistics, communications, and cash-based support. This included the delivery of 5,000 food kits that will feed 15,000 people for a week.
o As of October 29th, the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) has been providing on-the-ground assistance to the government.
o The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism continues to provide assistance to the country:
ü Belgium and Luxembourg are providing energy items.
ü Luxembourg is also providing shelter items.
ü Spain is deploying a medical team.
o The U.S. Department of State reported the following activities:
ü U.S. Southern Command has deployed Joint Task Force Bravo with 40 members. They will provide immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance
ü Urban Search and Rescue teams have been deployed to the Black River area to provide assistance and conduct rapid impact assessments.
Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas and Dominican Republic Highlights:
Cuba
· More than 60,000 homes and key infrastructure has been damaged and over two million people require humanitarian assistance.
· The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has dispatched 2.6 million tons of relief supplies (emergency kits, medicine, medical and surgical supplies) that can care for 5,000 people for three months.
Haiti
· There are 26 deaths and 18 people have been reported missing.
· A total of 10 health facilities have been impacted.
· 1,250 people are in temporary shelters.
· PAHO, alongside the Health Directorate of the Ouest department, the Directorate of Epidemiology, Laboratories and Research and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a rapid assessment in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites in the Ouest department.
· PAHO has deployed field teams to several shelters to assess the health needs.
· Nearly two tons of medical supplies were delivered to the Health Directorate of the Ouest Department at the request of the Minister of Health.
· The shortage of funds is likely to delay the implementation of key health response activities.
Bahamas and the Dominican Republic
· On October 29th, the PDC deployed a team to assist the Bahamas.
· Heavy rainfall and landslides in the Dominican Republic have continued to disrupt water services and infrastructure, and damage assessments are ongoing.
Sources:
· The Caribbean: Hurricane Melissa - Flash Update No. 3 (as of 31 October 2025)
· Haiti: Hurricane Melissa - PAHO Situation Report # 4 (10/30/2025)
· Pacific Disaster Center Twitter Page
· Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Facebook Page
· United Nations Jamaica Multi-country Office Twitter Page
· OCHA Americas Twitter Page
· Jamaica Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Twitter Page
· Jamaica Ministry of Health & Wellness Twitter Page
· U.S. Department of State Twitter Page
· National VOAD Twitter Page
Resources
ACAPS, Cuba: anticipated impact of Hurricane Melissa (New)
U.S. Department of State, Responding to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Cuba, Bermuda, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos Islands (New)
Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa Relief Website
Financial Donations:
· CORE
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