The death toll from Hurricane Melissa’s passage over Jamaica has climbed to 45, according to an update from Senator Dana Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information. The announcement came during a Tuesday morning press conference as the government continues to assess the storm’s full impact.
The minister said the fatalities were recorded across several parishes: Hanover (2), Westmoreland (15), St. James (6), Trelawny (2), St. Ann (1), Portland (1), and St. Elizabeth (18). Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth were also identified as the hardest-hit parishes in terms of infrastructure damage.
“In terms of post-mortems, they have been able to conduct 33 to date, and there are some that they are waiting to do,” Senator Dixon said. “So that is the confirmed number. Those are 45 families that are hurting deeply. As we look at that number, we pray for those families. It’s a hard time to deal with the death of a family member while also facing the aftermath of a hurricane. As this number changes, I will get back to you with the latest.”
Dixon also shared updates on relief efforts, highlighting the strong local and international response. Over 170 donors have registered on the national relief portal and have already begun bringing in aid to the island. Additionally, 40 bilateral partners—representing 40 countries—are participating in the recovery drive, with 31 of them having already sent contributions.
On the education front, the minister reported that 526 schools have reopened, a sign of gradual stabilization following the storm.
As for monetary support, donations through the Support Jamaica platform (supportjamaica.gov.jm) have reached US $1.08 million, while an additional JMD $53.218 million has been received via credit card payments up to Tuesday morning. Dixon said she will provide updated totals once figures from direct deposits are tallied.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz also provided an update on the aviation sector, reporting that between October 29 and November 10, Jamaica’s airports collectively handled 1,138 flights. This included 499 commercial passenger flights, 369 cargo, relief, and military flights, and 270 private flights.
“Of these, Norman Manley International Airport accounted for 578, while Sangster International handled 369 — reflecting strong recovery,” Vaz said.
Relief operations remain ongoing across the island, particularly in the parishes most severely affected by flooding and infrastructure collapse.
