The number of confirmed deaths as a result of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica has risen to 45 people, while 15 others are considered missing, authorities in Jamaica said on Tuesday.
The death toll is expected to rise, as officials are still trying to reach two towns that remain isolated since the catastrophic Category 5 hurricane made landfall in western Jamaica on October 28.
Alvin Gayle, director-general of Jamaica’s Office of Emergency Management, said helicopters were dropping food and other essential supplies into these two communities.
He said that the storm had displaced 30,000 families, and 1,100 people were still living in 88 emergency shelters that were still open. Nearly three dozen roads remain closed as crews continue to clear debris, Gayle said. Officials noted that 50% of customers have cell phone service, and more than 70% of customers now have water.
Meanwhile, crews restored power to more than 60% of customers. “This is a strong milestone given the scale of the devastation,” said Hugh Grant, President and CEO of Energy Corporation of Jamaica. He noted that electricity was restored on Tuesday to Montego Bay International Airport.
Hurricane Melissa was one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. It tore through the western region of Jamaica and then made landfall in eastern Cuba, where it destroyed homes and crops.
The storm also caused heavy flooding in southwestern Haiti, killing at least 43 people. Aid is flowing to the three countries as people struggle to recover from the storm.
On Monday, the US government announced the allocation of an additional $10 million to Jamaica and another $2.5 million to Haiti, a total of about $37 million for the affected countries, including Cuba and the Bahamas.
(tags for translation) Hurricane Melissa
