Hurricane Melissa slams into Jamaica as catastrophic Category 5 storm

Hurricane Impact & Infrastructure Damage - Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, directly hit Jamaica, causing widespread devastation [2] - Significant damage to infrastructure, including hospitals and roads, was reported [4] - Power outages affected hundreds of thousands [2] - Roads were impassable due to debris [1] Tourism & Evacuation - Approximately 25,000 tourists were stranded in Jamaica [5] - Tourists were evacuated to hotel ballrooms for safety [6] - Airport closures left tourists stranded, disrupting travel plans [6] Rescue & Aid Efforts - Search and rescue operations were initially too dangerous to commence [4] - Assessment of airports in Kingston and Montego Bay is prioritized to facilitate relief flights [9] - Officials are cautioning people to avoid flooded areas [3]