Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica ^{CEFR B2}

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, after building over very warm ocean waters. The storm was described as massive, with unprecedented wind speeds and rapid pressure drops. The name Melissa means "honeybee," but the storm left a bitter sting for many communities across the island. The Caribbean contributes only about one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces severe storms made worse by global heating.

I volunteered with the Jamaica Red Cross and with members of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in several parishes, including Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny and St. Elizabeth. On November 15 our team worked at the Petersfield Health Centre in Westmoreland clearing debris after roof damage. Later we helped in Mount Peto, Bessiebaker and Axe-and-Adze, and on November 30 I visited Retrieve in St. Elizabeth. I returned to Westmoreland on December 14 and met residents from Salt Spring and Montego Bay.

The visible destruction was severe: trenches where roads once were, buildings without roofs or walls, streets turned into rivers, flipped containers, mangled water tanks and broken light posts. Relief teams distributed food, water, hygiene packages, cleaning kits, solar lights and shelter items. Many people spoke of solidarity and thanked volunteers, while others called for more resilient housing, community-focused recovery and global accountability from high-emission countries for their role in climate change.