VIDEO: Roofs Torn Off as ‘Super’ Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica

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VIDEO: Roofs Torn Off as ‘Super’ Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica
St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Jamaica

Roofs are flying as Super Hurricane Melissa unleashes its full fury on Jamaica. The Category 5 monster made landfall near New Hope, St Elizabeth, around midday Tuesday, bringing some of the most extreme winds the island has ever faced.

Videos circulating on social media show the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) among the many buildings sustaining serious roof damage as violent gusts rip through the parish. Flying zinc sheets, toppled trees, and collapsing structures have turned parts of the area into a scene of chaos.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Melissa struck Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a central pressure of 892 millibars — tying Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as the strongest landfalls ever recorded in the Atlantic.

The storm’s eyewall is now pounding western Jamaica, particularly St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James, where residents have been warned to remain in shelter and not go outside, even during the temporary calm of the eye.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says initial reports point to widespread structural damage, fallen power lines, and blocked roads across several parishes. Emergency response teams are standing by to begin rescue and recovery efforts once conditions improve.

Melissa is expected to move off Jamaica’s north coast later today, heading toward the Cayman Islands and southern Bahamas while remaining an extremely dangerous hurricane.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/10/28/video-roofs-torn-off-as-super-hurricane-melissa-batters-jamaica. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

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Comments (3)

  • Juju Bee October 28, 2025, 4:21 PM

    The person filming more wicked. They looking for a Pulitzer prize or something? Take damn cover
    Reply
  • Informed citizen October 28, 2025, 9:24 PM

    Seeing roofs ripped off like paper… this is horrifying. Hope everyone is in a safe place prayers for Jamaica.
    Reply
  • Tromos October 28, 2025, 11:54 PM

    Absolutely heartbreaking to watch sending prayers and strength to everyone in Jamaica right now.
    Reply

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