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JAM | Nov 11, 2025

Death toll from Hurricane Melissa climbs to 45 so far

/ Our Today

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Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon.

The Government is reporting that the death toll from Category Five Hurricane Melissa is now at 45.

Addressing Tuesday’s special press briefing at Jamaica House, Information Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in conjunction with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), investigated and concluded that the deaths were associated with the hurricane.

She informed that nine deaths are under investigation.

“In terms of postmortems, they have been able to conduct 33 postmortems to date,” she advised.

The highest number of deaths was recorded in St Elizabeth with 18 fatalities, followed by Westmoreland with 15.

An aerial image capturing the devastation of a section of Black River, St. Elizabeth, two days after Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28. The category-five cyclone tore roofs from buildings, inundated homes, and toppled utility poles, leaving a trail of destruction across the town. (Photo: JIS)

Six deaths were recorded in St James, two each in Hanover and Trelawny and one each in St Ann and Portland.

“Those are 45 families that are hurting deeply. Really, really hurting, and so, as we look at that number, we pray for those families. We pray that God will comfort them. It’s a hard time to deal with the death of a family member, plus be dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane. I ask all of Jamaica to please pray for these families as they traverse this very, very, very difficult time,” she urged.

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