UPDATED: The JTB’s Angella Bennett provides an update on devastating Hurricane Melissa

Describing Hurricane Melissa as an official disaster, Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board shared that the storm has left a destructive impact, including to the south coast of the island, an area that was already damaged by Hurricane Beryl, making it a “devastating double whammy.” 

While waiting for an official update on the extent of the damage from the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre, Bennett confirmed that the hurricane has now left Jamaica, but the island is still experiencing heavy rainfall, flooding and winds as well as power outages. Bennett noted that Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay has sustained extensive damage but reports indicate that the Norman Manley International Airport may be able to open on Oct. 30th to allow for post-storm recovery operations and flights providing emergency relief. 

“It’s quite devastating. Trees are down, power lines are down,” she shared. “It’s pretty bad.” 

Historically the island doesn’t get hit by Category 5 hurricanes, making it the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in modern history, including popular resort areas like Montego Bay.

“St. Elizabeth, that already got so much damage from Hurricane Beryl last year, it is again getting a beating from this hurricane. We consider this area a disaster. They [experienced] Category 5 winds of over 165/mph and storm surges, flooding, loss of vegetation, this area is quite a strong agricultural area so you can imagine the disruption to their livelihood,” Bennett shared. 

Although it’s too early to get a full picture of the destruction, Bennett encouraged advisors and travellers not to cancel travel plans that are more than several weeks out and to continue booking Jamaica this winter season. 

“We are a strong and resilient nation. We hope to restore the destination as quickly as possible,” she noted. 

Encouraging the industry to come together for Jamaica 

“With such a massive storm, help will definitely be needed,” she added. 

In addition to organizations like Red Cross and Global Medic, Bennett shared that there are other initiatives also needing donations following recovery efforts such as Wings Kidz, a Montego Bay-based after school program for inner city kids that are falling behind in the classroom.

Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF) is also calling for support of its relief efforts, which will be designated to assist areas most affected in both the short- and long-term recovery efforts.

“Hurricane Melissa is disrupting lives across Jamaica, and families are facing devastating loss. Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation needs everyone’s support now so we can provide immediate relief and begin rebuilding, especially for the children, their schools, and their communities,” noted Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation founder Karl Hale. 

Tax deductible donations can be made at: https://helpinghandsjamaica.com/donate.

Bennett added that HHJF’s annual school build project will take place in January in Treasure Beach, located on the south coast, in the area that was already severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl. 

This week Marsha Coore-Lobban, the High Commissioner of Jamaica to Canada has also called meetings with diaspora organizations across the country in an effort to mobilize support for Jamaica after the storm passes. 

Tourism partners and visitors who require assistance can contact the TEOC by phone at (876) 382-6712, (658) 213-2802, (658) 213-2803, (658) 213-2804 or via WhatsApp at (876) 469-0265 or by emailing [email protected].