Jamaica

Written by: Evan Zhang

Summary:

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to ever hit the island, roared into Jamaica as a Category 5 monster with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph. Streets are already being overwhelmed with storm surges, roofs are being torn off, buildings are being destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people are losing power. Although evacuations are in progress, many residents remain hunkered down in the danger zone, which is home to over 1.5 million people. This monster, the third Category 5 of the season, is still going strong and is making its way to Cuba.

Analysis:

These kinds of storms don't just "occur." Hurricanes are more powerful than ever because of the supercharging caused by the warming Atlantic waters brought on by climate change. Critics claim that years of underfunded defences have left the island vulnerable, despite Jamaica's government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, rushing with early warnings and shelters. Why? Tight spending plans and a disproportionate dependence on tourism revenue rather than strong infrastructure. This may lead to criticism of Holness's administration and calls for greater international climate assistance from major donors like the US and the EU, who have often made promises but frequently fall short of fulfilling them.

Analysis 2: What happens next?

Jamaica's economy, which is already fragile enough due to post-COVID tourism declines, will be severely impacted by the billions of dollars required for reconstruction. Food prices and unemployment could rise if banana farms and resorts are destroyed. Politically, anticipate more demands for debt relief from lenders and more difficult international climate negotiations; if aid seems stingy, relations may even deteriorate. Conversely, it could in fact bring the Caribbean together with foreign countries for improved regional defences.