Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, hitting Jamaica in late October as a Category Five hurricane. The storm claimed at least forty-five lives and caused catastrophic destruction throughout the island.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a Category Four storm in 2024, the Jamaican government spent approximately 5.5 million dollars to prepare schools for Hurricane Melissa in the 2025-2026 academic year. The Jamaican government prepared eight hundred schools to be designated as community shelters. They were supposed to provide a safe haven for the community and offer protection from the hurricane. After the hurricane occurred, it was obvious that the schools did not have the expected structural integrity. Weak infrastructure made it so the school buildings could not withstand strong winds or intense flooding. Out of the eight hundred that were designated, six hundred were severely damaged by the intense weather conditions. Buildings in Jamaica have historically been poorly built because Jamaica’s temperate climate has not required strong structural integrity. These intense weather events, however, are exposing structural vulnerabilities.
The schools’ destruction has negatively affected the education of Jamaican children. According to journalist Dionne Jackson-Miller, reinstating the education system swiftly is of great importance as “school is the primary stabilising force for thousands of Jamaican children.” She emphasized how, especially in post-traumatic times, schools provide academic, emotional, and social stability, while family life may still be tumultuous. Every day of educational instability makes a difference.
The hurricane impacted and damaged schools over the entire island. The University of Technology in Jamaica is a public college that was also damaged by the hurricane. Its Dome Street campus experienced flooding, but was restored enough to reopen on November 10. Even though some further repairs were required, administrative and teaching operations resumed. As of November 25, the Barnett Street location remained closed due to significant roof damage and flooding. UTech Jamaica has assured that repairs are underway, and they plan to reopen once safety standards are met.
The University of Miami sent Dr. Pytregay Thompson to support Jamaica by providing medical care to its residents. When Dr. Thompson first saw the island, she did not recognize it as the country where she spent the first twenty-seven years of her life. Dr. Thompson said it was very difficult to see the beautiful home she remembered damaged so severely, but also felt fortunate to have the opportunity to offer her support. For a few weeks, she provided medical care to children in Jamaica lacking clean water. She saw fifty to sixty young patients a day with conditions ranging from skin infections to gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Thompson said, “We will get back to our lush, green, beautiful country with our spirits uplifted again […] it will take time, but we are who we are, and we will get back to the people we were meant to be.” For information on how to support Jamaica’s recovery, visit https://supportjamaica.gov.jm.
Be First to Comment