KINGSTON, Jamaica — Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, has battered Jamaica with catastrophic winds and torrential rains, leaving communities flooded, power lines toppled, and thousands displaced.
Amid the devastation, around 300 Filipinos living and working in Jamaica remain safe, according to reports from community leaders and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Longtime Kingston resident Mimi Ignacio, who has lived in Jamaica for three decades, described the storm as the most powerful she has ever experienced. She said Filipino families prepared early by storing food supplies and relocating those in low-lying areas to government shelters.
“For now, we’ve prepared food that’s good enough for a couple of weeks,” Ignacio said. “Those living in low-lying areas have been moved to shelters, more than 800 have been prepared. The government is very active.”
Ignacio added that Philippine Honorary Consul Keith Russel has opened his home to any Filipinos in need of refuge. Most Filipinos in Jamaica work in hotels and are based in Kingston, where conditions are relatively safer compared to Western areas.
In Montego Bay, however, Filipino chef Alvin Miraflores reported losing electricity after the hurricane’s eye passed directly through the city. “We can’t leave the villa,” he said, describing the situation as “very difficult.” Videos he sent to GMA Integrated News showed trees violently swaying amid powerful gusts.
The Philippine Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and has so far received no reports of Filipino casualties or injuries.
Jamaica reels from record-breaking storm
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near the town of New Hope, about 62 kilometers south of Montego Bay, packing sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph) and heavy rainfall that submerged entire towns.
The storm ripped roofs off homes, uprooted trees, and triggered landslides across southwestern Jamaica. Floodwaters trapped several families in Black River, while four major hospitals sustained damage, one of which lost power and required the evacuation of 75 patients.
Authorities said nearly 15,000 residents are now in shelters, and more than 500,000 people are without power. Officials warned that storm surges as high as four meters could endanger coastal communities.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness called Melissa “a national catastrophe” and urged patience as the country faces a long recovery. “There is no infrastructure that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” he said.
By late Tuesday, Melissa had weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane while moving toward eastern Cuba, where evacuations were underway. Cuban officials described it as “the strongest ever to hit national territory,” warning residents not to underestimate the danger.
Despite widespread damage, no confirmed deaths among Filipinos have been reported. The Philippine Embassy urged nationals in affected areas to remain indoors, follow local advisories, and contact authorities once communication lines are restored.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
