In brief
As Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, around 75% of the island faced power outages and extensive flooding. With winds reaching 298 km/h, the hurricane caused significant destruction to homes, infrastructure, and local fruit crops. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a disaster area, and local officials express deep concern over potential loss of life. Rescue teams are struggling to access communities isolated by floodwaters. The exact extent of the damage is still unclear, but the situation is dire.
The normal soundtrack that accompanies Jamaican life is silent this morning as many have woken to no electricity.
About three-quarters of the island is without power and many parts of its western side are under water, with homes destroyed by strong winds after Hurricane Melissa tore across the island with catastrophic force.
As wind and rain lashed through the night, one local official said the destruction resembled the scene of an apocalypse movie.
With communications crippled, the true scale of the disaster remains unknown. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area late Tuesday, warning of devastating impacts and significant damage to hospitals, homes, and businesses.
Although no deaths have yet been confirmed, Montego Bay's mayor Richard Vernon told the BBC his first task at daybreak would be to check if everybody is alive.
Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to strike Jamaica in modern history, barrelled across the country on Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of ruin.
At its peak, the hurricane sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph) - stronger than Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005 and killed 1,392 people.
Local government minister Desmond Mckenzie said on Tuesday afternoon that the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth was under water, with at least three families trapped in their homes in the community of Black River.
Rescue teams are struggling to reach them because of the dangerous conditions.
In rural Jamaica, the storm has left people shaken. Tamisha Lee, president of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers, described the situation as tense and dangerous.
Health officials even issued a crocodile warning, cautioning that floodwaters could drive the reptiles into residential areas.
For thousands of tourists caught on the island, the storm brought terror and uncertainty.
