‘Almost Every Roof’ Blown Off In Black River As Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica With 185 MPH Winds

Hurricane Melissa made its devastating landfall Tuesday afternoon along Jamaica’s southwestern coast, blasting the Caribbean nation with powerful winds, heavy rain and life-threatening storm surge.

Landfall took place at 1:00 p.m. ET around New Hope, Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Since that time, Melissa’s winds have dipped to 150 mph to downgrade the storm to a Category 4, which is still extremely dangerous. Over the next few hours, Hurricane Melissa will be passing across western Jamaica, per the NHC. (RELATED: Hurricane Melissa Causing Catastrophic Flooding As Photo Shows House Completely Submerged In Jamaica)

Feeling a huge impact from the winds was Black River, a town blasted by the 185 mph wind speeds with gusts reaching more than 220 mph, coming from the third strongest hurricane ever in Atlantic basin history.

According to one local, those impacts left Black River “a wreck,” with “almost every roof” blown off.

Black River is a wreck. The river, the sea, and road are all in one. Just water. The hospital is damaged. Almost every roof is gone. The Black River Bridge is badly damaged I’m told. Catastrophic.

— Chrissy (@Chrissy__Dee) October 28, 2025

Video from local media outlet Jamaica Observer shows the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) office in Black River not having a roof after feeling Melissa’s impacts, with major damage being caused to the building.

The JPS office in Black River was left without a roof and severely damaged as Hurricane Melissa roared ashore in St Elizabeth late Tuesday morning.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the powerful storm made landfall in the vicinity of Parottee shortly after… pic.twitter.com/hLP2kosaFC

— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) October 28, 2025

In Savanna-la-Mar, a building at a section of the Savanna La Mar Public General Hospital had its roof torn off due to the strong winds from Melissa, according to video from local news outlet Jamaica Gleaner.

A roof was completely torn off a building at a section of the Savanna La Mar Public General Hospital due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The system made landfall earlier today near New Hope district in Westmoreland, Jamaica. #GLNRToday #TrackingMelissa pic.twitter.com/zBnm9bu4Oq

— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) October 28, 2025

The Daily Caller will continue to keep you updated on the latest with Hurricane Melissa.