Jamaica Travel Advisory: “Catastrophic” Hurricane Melissa Impact and What to Do Next

The impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on Tuesday is being called catastrophic. Ranked a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa struck with a force that hadn’t been felt in Jamaica in ninety years. This storm was even more powerful and damaging than Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the damage it left in Jamaica, it left a trail of destruction and flooding in Haiti and Cuba on Wednesday.

Hurricane Melissa Now

Melissa was expected to make landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 2 on Thursday night, but sped past the islands, bringing heavy winds and rain. Earlier this week, the hurricane ripped through Jamaica at 185 miles per hour. Afterward, it made landfall in Eastern Cuba with winds of 120 miles per hour.

This devastating storm broke Hurricane Gilbert’s 1988 record in Jamaica as a Category 4. The Bahamas were spared the force of this storm as it charged northeast toward the Atlantic Ocean. Melissa is no longer categorized as a hurricane.

Caribbean Travel

The Caribbean Sea expands over 1 million square miles; therefore, some islands escaped Melissa’s wrath. The Aruba islands are closer to South America, so they experienced some rain, but no damage. However, if you’re considering traveling to Jamaica, be cautious. It was struck by a Category 5 hurricane, damaging its infrastructure and causing power outages that may last for weeks or months.

The storm directly hit Cuba and left Haiti with massive flooding. Other nearby islands that felt Melissa’s effects are the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the southeastern Bahamas. If you’ve pre-planned travel to the Caribbean, keep abreast of the latest developments in your scheduled destination.

Airport Closures

Jamaica’s two main airports were closed in anticipation of the storm. On Wednesday night, Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport reopened for relief flights, and commercial flights were offered on Thursday, but not at the full schedule. Airlines serving Jamaica and other Caribbean islands are offering travel waivers.

These waivers vary but mainly apply to flights traveling through various Jamaican airports and other islands. The waivers allow travelers to change their flights but not pay the fare difference. Airlines that are offering waivers include JetBlue, American, Delta, and United. Check these airlines for specific details of their waivers. Each airline lists different dates, booking, and ticket information.

Pre-Booked Travel

If you’ve already booked a hotel, check the website for updates. Call the hotel or the main reservations direct line. Be mindful that many hotels may be in crisis management mode, and there are widespread power outages. Therefore, making a telephone call should be your last option.

If you made your reservation through a travel agency or an aggregator like Travelocity or Expedia, be aware of their cancellation policies. The OTA has ownership rights of your reservation before your actual travel. If you call the hotel, they will probably refer you back to the travel portal or OTA for assistance.

If you planned a cruise to Bermuda or the Caribbean, contact the cruise line for updates on sailing plans.

How to Help

National relief efforts have been put in place if you’d like to make contributions to support Jamaica at this time. You can make a direct donation through supportjamaica.gov.jm. Other options include groups like Save the Children, Direct Relief, All Hands and Hearts, American Friends of Jamaica, GiveDirectly, and Global Empowerment Mission.

Airbnb.org, which is Airbnb’s nonprofit arm, is offering free housing to first responders. They’ve partnered with Haiti Air Ambulance and All Hands & Hearts. In addition, Airbnb.org is collaborating with local nonprofits and governments to provide emergency housing assistance for displaced citizens after the storm.

Conclusion

Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to hit Jamaica at Category 5, left miles of destruction in its wake. Cuba and Haiti have been left with massive damage to recover from after this tremendous storm. Although the Bahamas escaped harm, they felt the relentless winds of Melissa.

The bottom line is that if you’re planning to travel to any area affected by the hurricane, you would be wise to delay or cancel your plans for now.