Westmoreland Faces Severe Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Calls for Urgent Recovery Efforts
Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction in Westmoreland, Jamaica, after making landfall with winds exceeding Category 5 strength. The storm has devastated infrastructure, leaving the parish without electricity and severely impacting communication networks. Many homes, both wooden and concrete, have been destroyed, and essential services like food stores and medical facilities are inaccessible. The hurricane has also highlighted long-standing vulnerabilities in the region, such as irregular land tenure and inadequate infrastructure. The local community has been at the forefront of initial recovery efforts, clearing debris and assisting neighbors, but formal rescue operations have been slow to materialize. 
