"KINGSTON, Jamaica Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled onto roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Landslides, fallen trees and numerous power outages were reported as Melissa hit with 185 mph (295 kph) winds near New Hope, with officials cautioning that the cleanup and damage assessment could be slow."
"Floodwaters trapped at least three families in their homes in the community of Black River in western Jamaica, and crews were unable to help them because of dangerous conditions, said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council. "Roofs were flying off," he said. "We are hoping and praying that the situation will ease so that some attempt can be made to get to those persons." He noted that extensive damage was reported in the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth,"
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica with 185 mph (295 kph) winds, marking one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Heavy floodwaters swept across the region, tearing roofs from buildings, dislodging boulders onto roads, and causing landslides, fallen trees and widespread power outages. Emergency officials reported at least three families trapped in Black River and extensive flooding in St. Elizabeth, while nearly 15,000 people occupied shelters. Approximately 540,000 customers, or 77%, lost electricity. The storm was expected to move toward Cuba, with meteorologists warning of a heavy storm surge along northern Jamaica as Melissa's rotation continued offshore.
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