Hurricane Melissa Hits JamaicaCEFR B2
9 Jan 2026
Adapted from Candice Stewart, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by David Anderson, Unsplash
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.
Difficult words
- unprecedented — never seen or experienced before
- debris — broken pieces and waste from damaged buildings
- emission — gas or pollutant released into the airemissions
- resilient — able to recover quickly after damage or stress
- solidarity — support and unity between people or groups
- volunteer — person who offers work without payvolunteered
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What kinds of changes to housing would make communities more resilient to storms mentioned in the article? Give examples.
- How important is international support for regions that produce little greenhouse gas but face severe storms? Use points from the article.
- Based on the team’s activities, what volunteer tasks are most needed after a hurricane, and why?
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