Hurricane Melissa leaves 120,000 roofless

Hurricane Melissa has torn the roofs off more than 120,000 structures, leaving western Jamaica reeling and thousands of residents homeless.

And a week after the disaster, only 36,000 meal packages have been distributed by the state -- though the head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) insists that no one will be left behind.

"It is our commitment that no one will be forgotten," said newly appointed Director General at ODPEM, Commander Alvin Gayle, during a special press briefing for Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Thursday.

"Our initial damage assessment indicates that over some 120,000 buildings in western Jamaica have lost their roofs. This directly impacts some 90,000 families," Gayle said.

The ODPEM head revealed that while the National Works Agency, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and other entities have successfully reopened access to many communities isolated by the Category-5 storm, at least 27 communities remain cut off.

"We are acutely aware that many communities are still marooned, cut off by flooding and landslides. As of this morning, there is some indication that some 27 communities remain marooned, primarily in the difficult-to-reach areas of St Elizabeth, St James and Trelawny," Commander Gayle said.

He added that authorities have managed to reach 22 of these 27 communities so far, leaving five still inaccessible a week after the hurricane.

Commander Gayle noted that ODPEM is coordinating with the Jamaica Defence Force and the country's international partners to deliver food, water, and medical supplies to those affected.

"We will not stop until every single person who is affected is reached," he said.

"A massive relief operation is in full swing. If the question on the minds is that help is coming, the answer is yes," Gayle added.

The new ODPEM head confirmed that thousands of hot meals, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, and cases of water have already been distributed across the island--and "more is coming".

Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica since records began 174 years ago, struck the country with sustained winds of 185 mph, causing widespread damage in parts of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and St Ann.