Three Dead, 13 Injured as Jamaicans Prepare for Hurricane Melissa

Three people have died and 13 others have been injured across Jamaica as residents rushed to secure their homes and properties ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton confirmed the fatalities Monday evening during a special briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

The victims, from St Elizabeth, St Catherine, and Hanover, were all involved in storm preparations when the tragic incidents occurred.

In St Elizabeth, a health worker lost his life after a tree fell on him while he was making final arrangements at his property. He was airlifted to the University Hospital of the West Indies but later succumbed to his injuries.

Another man in Hanover was killed in a similar incident involving a fallen tree, while in St Catherine, a resident was electrocuted while cutting down trees ahead of the storm.

Dr Tufton also reported 13 other injuries related to hurricane preparations, many resulting from falls off ladders and rooftops.

The minister expressed deep sadness over the incidents and extended condolences to the affected families.

“Condolences to the family members who lost loved ones,” Dr Tufton said. “We understand the need to prepare, but we urge extreme caution in that preparation. If you need help, call for help but be careful to protect yourself during the preparation, because already we are seeing the tragedy of lives.”

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour, continues to move northwest of the island, bringing heavy rainfall, dangerous winds, and widespread power outages.