The number of confirmed deaths from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica rose to 45, with 15 other people missing, authorities said yesterday. The death toll is expected to rise, with officials still trying to reach two towns that remain cut off since the catastrophic Category 5 storm made landfall in western Jamaica on 28th of last month. Helicopters have been dropping food and other basic supplies in those two communities, said Alvin Gayle, director general of Jamaica’s emergency management office.
He said the storm has displaced 30,000 households, with 1,100 people still living in 88 emergency shelters that remain open. Nearly three dozen roadways remain blocked as crews continue to remove debris, Gayle said. Meanwhile, crews have restored power to more than 60 percent of customers.
