Jamaica death toll at least 19 but expected to rise. US sending helicopters to help

Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald on Oct 31, 2025

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At least 19 people have lost their lives in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa, which battered the island this week as the most powerful storm to ever hit the Caribbean nation.

Sen. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, said Friday that the toll is almost certain to rise. “We’re still at 19 confirmed. But we do expect that that number will change today.”

She said there are “quite credible” reports of at four bodies in Westmoreland and one other in St. Elizabeth Parish that need to be reprieved. “We do not count the numbers until the [Jamaica Constabulary Force] has been able to go to the site and retrieve the body and confirm it.”

“Every single life that is lost is a huge tragedy,” Dixon said during a press conference. “I know that these numbers are distressing, but know that we’re doing our best to retrieve the bodies and provide support to those families that need it.”

“It is never easy to lose a loved one,“ she added, “but to lose a loved one...in this state where all around you is devastation is even harder.”

The death toll from Hurricane Melissa now will likely top 50, with at least 30 people killed in Haiti and 20 still missing. Though the storm did not make a direct hit on Haiti, its ferocious rains caused rivers to flood and jump their banks. At least 23 people died, including 10 children from flooding in the coastal city of Petit-Goâve, southwest of Port-au-Prince.

On Friday, as relief efforts continued in the devastated country, the World Bank announced that it’s working closely with the government and international partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank, to carry out a rapid post-disaster damage assessment and help guide immediate relief and recovery efforts.

“Jamaica has developed one of the most advanced and comprehensive disaster risk financing systems in the Caribbean, serving as a model for preparedness and resilience across the region,” the World Bank said. “This strong foundation will be critical in ensuring a swift and coordinated response to the hurricane’s impacts.”

The Bank also added that a broad package of World Bank Group assistance is ready to be mobilized — combining quick emergency financing, money from a World Bank catastrophe bond, private sector support and other sources.

“Our teams are also prepared to provide technical advice and implementation support to help Jamaica recover and rebuild stronger, ensuring that reconstruction efforts contribute to long-term resilience and sustainable growth,” the statement said.

The Jamaican government announced that a consortium of international organizations, including charities like Mercy Corps and Haiti Air Ambulance, with expertise in disaster relief and recovery, have arrived in the country and are working with the Jamaica Defense Force. The companies are providing air ambulance services and other relief.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said while about six private helicopters have come to their rescue, they are also expecting between eight and 10 helicopters from the United States government to arrive. The helicopters’ large capacity, he said, will allow the government to transfer injured individuals and get relief supplies into unreachable areas.

The Doral-based U.S. Southern Command said it had directed a situational assessment team and three CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to deploy to Jamaica where they will join the U.S. interagency-led disaster response mission supporting the Caribbean island. The assessment team is tasked with evaluating conditions in the hurricane-stricken areas and the humanitarian aid and disaster response needed.

. “I would say to all of those persons who are still out there waiting and looking up in the sky, that you will start to see movements today, and you’re going to hear a lot of activity, and I’m sure that will make you feel better...,” Vaz said. “You are not forgotten, and you will never be forgotten.”

Vaz said that while communication was slowly going back online, many people remain cut off and the government was working to get Starlink hookups in the police stations.

The Sangster International Airport Montego Bay international airport also had more damage than initially thought, but he announced that after receiving relief flights, the airport will resume commercial flight operations as of 7 a.m. Saturday.

“That allows us to get out all of the persons, the tourists, especially who are here and need to get out, and also more access for commercial and relief supplies, persons who want to come back in to help,” he said.