Jamaica Turns to Recovery After Hurricane Melissa

Published on Oct 31, 2025, 3:27 pm CDT

5 min read

Key points

Jamaica launches a Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force to coordinate public and private efforts
Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport reopens first for relief then commercial flights, with other airports assessing
St. James parish reports severe damage to homes, businesses and roads with assessments underway
Tourism officials target a full industry rebound by mid-December, pending inspections and utilities restoration
Travelers should confirm flights, lodging and tours directly as operations resume in phases

Impact

Flights: Expect limited schedules and rolling delays as airlines and airports complete inspections, so reconfirm itineraries and monitor carrier alerts
Hotels & Attractions: Many properties are structurally sound but may face intermittent power and water; verify status and flexible policies before travel
Cruise & Ports: Ports are inspecting facilities and channels; watch for itinerary adjustments and updated embarkation guidance from your line
Relief & Donations: Use the official Support Jamaica portal to direct contributions and verify needs while avoiding unofficial appeals
Insurance & Waivers: Check for airline and supplier waivers and consider claiming change protections where available

Jamaica has shifted into recovery mode after Hurricane Melissa's Category 5 strike brought destructive winds, flooding, and power outages across the island. Damage has been most acute in southern and western parishes, where residents reported collapsed buildings, downed lines, and washed-out roads. While early reports indicate many hotels remain structurally sound, utilities and logistics remain uneven. Authorities have begun phased safety inspections at airports and ports, and they are asking travelers to reconfirm plans directly with airlines, accommodations, and tour operators as operations restart in stages.

Government and tourism coordination

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has activated a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force to synchronize the industry's response across the public and private sectors. The body, chaired by John Byles of Chukka Caribbean Adventures with Minister Bartlett as Chairman Emeritus, brings together leaders from government, health resilience, and hospitality to assess damage, guide relief, and map a sustainable reopening plan. A companion committee is focused on donation coordination and resilience planning. Officials say the goal is pragmatic and time-bound, with a full tourism restart targeted for mid-December if inspections and utilities progress as expected.

In St. James parish, home to major resort zones, the St. James Municipal Corporation reports widespread damage to homes, businesses, and roads. Teams are working with state agencies and nongovernmental partners to quantify needs and deliver emergency aid to the hardest-hit communities as infrastructure assessments continue.

Airports and transportation

Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) reopened first to receive relief flights, followed by a phased resumption of commercial operations. Ian Fleming International is also returning to service, while assessments continue at Sangster International in Montego Bay. Expect constrained schedules and cancellations as airlines reposition aircraft, restore staffing, and complete safety checks on facilities and navigation aids. Monitor airline notifications closely and allow extra time at the airport for document checks and irregular-operations lines.

Major carriers are supporting relief operations and cautiously rebuilding schedules. For example, American Airlines operated dedicated relief lifts into Kingston before restarting limited commercial service, a pattern other airlines may follow as capacity returns. Travelers with near-term itineraries should keep e-mail and app alerts enabled, since same-day timing changes are likely during the first week of recovery.

Visitor services and utilities

The Jamaica Tourist Board says preliminary checks show many properties are sound, though power and water disruptions persist in pockets. Suppliers are coordinating through the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre to align messaging on reopen dates, amenities, and interim service modifications. Ports and attractions will publish inspection outcomes as channels are surveyed and shore infrastructure is cleared. Given uneven restoration and the potential for local road closures, visitors should reconfirm transfers and tour departure points the day before travel.

Humanitarian picture and health system impacts

Regional health authorities report significant strain from storm damage, flooding, and prolonged outages. A Pan American Health Organization situation report confirms Melissa's Jamaica landfall as a Category 5 event and details ongoing needs, including support for hospitals, water and sanitation, and disease surveillance. Figures remain preliminary as access improves, but officials emphasize that recovery operations will proceed parish by parish as conditions allow.

How to help, and how to travel next

The Government of Jamaica has launched an official Support Jamaica portal to channel donations and coordinate recovery. Using verified government or recognized NGO channels helps ensure funds and supplies meet documented needs and reduces duplication. For travelers, the most practical next steps are to verify transport and lodging before departure, maintain flexible plans for the first one to two weeks of reopening, and keep receipts in case insurance or waiver programs cover changes.

Final thoughts

Jamaica's tourism sector has a long record of resilient comebacks, and early signals point to a phased but determined return after Hurricane Melissa. With coordinated leadership, targeted aid, and cautious capacity rebuilds at airports and ports, the island is working toward a safe, reliable visitor experience by December. Travelers who stay in close contact with their airline, hotel, and cruise line will be best positioned as the recovery accelerates.

Sources

Here are solid, linkable sources you can cite for the Jamaica recovery piece: