Floodwaters Continue to Rise in Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Parish Days After Hurricane Melissa

Devastation Lingers as Blocked Drainage Systems Worsen Flooding Crisis

By James Morgan | Special Environmental Correspondent
November 2, 2025

The tranquil landscape of Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Parish has transformed into a waterlogged nightmare as floodwaters continue to rise three days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island nation. What initially appeared to be a receding crisis has instead intensified into an ongoing emergency, with blocked drainage systems preventing the natural dissipation of floodwaters that have inundated homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure throughout the region. Local resident Marcus Thompson stood at the edge of what was once his front yard, now a murky lake stretching toward his partially submerged home. “We thought the worst was over when the rain stopped,” Thompson said, gesturing toward the rising water line on his living room wall. “But every day, the water just keeps climbing higher.”

The situation in St. Elizabeth Parish represents a growing humanitarian crisis in one of Jamaica’s most vulnerable regions. As of Friday, hundreds of homes remain underwater, with essential services including electricity completely cut off across large swaths of the parish. Emergency response teams have been working around the clock to reach isolated communities, but their efforts have been hampered by impassable roads and destroyed bridges. “We’re seeing unprecedented levels of flooding in communities that have never experienced this type of disaster before,” explained Dr. Claudia Reynolds, a hydrologist with the Jamaican Environmental Protection Agency. “The combination of Hurricane Melissa’s rainfall and the compromised drainage infrastructure has created a perfect storm of conditions.” Local authorities have identified several major drainage channels completely obstructed by debris, vegetation, and sediment carried by the hurricane’s powerful winds and storm surge, effectively creating dams that trap water in populated areas rather than allowing it to flow toward the sea.

Communities Cut Off as Infrastructure Fails

The infrastructure damage extends beyond flooding, creating a multifaceted crisis for residents. Power lines lay tangled and broken across waterlogged streets, while telecommunications towers have collapsed, leaving many communities completely isolated from emergency services and assistance. Evelyn Clarke, a 72-year-old resident of Black River, described her situation: “I haven’t been able to reach my daughter in Kingston for three days. The water is up to my porch now, and I’m sleeping upstairs with my medications and some canned food.” The power outages have created particular hardships for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those dependent on electrical medical equipment. Hospitals are operating on generator power, but fuel supplies are dwindling as delivery trucks struggle to navigate the damaged transportation network.

The blocked drainage systems represent both an immediate crisis and a long-term infrastructure challenge. According to engineering assessments conducted by the National Works Agency, many of the drainage channels had already been compromised by deferred maintenance and environmental degradation before Hurricane Melissa struck. “What we’re seeing is the culmination of years of insufficient investment in critical water management infrastructure,” explained Robert Chambers, chief engineer with the agency. “The hurricane exposed vulnerabilities that have been building for decades.” Satellite imagery analyzed by climate scientists shows that areas with the most severe flooding correspond directly to blocked drainage points, creating what experts describe as “bathtub zones” where water has no outlet and continues to accumulate even days after rainfall has ceased.

Emergency Response Efforts Intensify Amid Challenging Conditions

Jamaica’s government has mobilized military and emergency management resources to address the flooding crisis, with particular focus on St. Elizabeth Parish and other severely affected regions. Prime Minister Sophia Bennett declared a national emergency on Wednesday, activating international aid protocols and requesting assistance from regional partners. “This is not just about immediate rescue operations but about rebuilding critical infrastructure in a way that makes Jamaica more resilient to future climate disasters,” Bennett stated during an emergency press briefing in Kingston. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have pledged emergency funds and technical assistance, while humanitarian organizations including the Red Cross have established emergency shelters in schools and community centers on higher ground.

The response efforts face significant logistical challenges, however. Emergency teams have been forced to use boats and helicopters to reach communities completely cut off by floodwaters, with some residents being plucked from rooftops where they’ve been stranded for days. “The geography of the flooding makes traditional disaster response incredibly difficult,” explained Colonel James Barton of Jamaica’s Defense Force. “We’re dealing with a constantly changing landscape where roads that were passable yesterday are underwater today.” Climate scientists have pointed to Hurricane Melissa as the latest example of how climate change is intensifying tropical weather systems in the Caribbean. The storm underwent rapid intensification before making landfall, a phenomenon that is becoming more common as ocean temperatures rise. The hurricane delivered over 30 inches of rainfall in some locations during a 48-hour period, overwhelming natural and man-made drainage systems.

Long-Term Challenges and Recovery Planning

As immediate rescue efforts continue, attention is also turning to the long-term recovery challenges facing Jamaica. Environmental engineers have begun preliminary assessments of the drainage systems that failed during the crisis, identifying critical points for immediate intervention once floodwaters recede. “We need to completely rethink our approach to water management infrastructure,” said Dr. Elaine Montague, an environmental engineering professor at the University of the West Indies. “This means not just clearing blockages but redesigning systems to accommodate the more intense precipitation events we’re experiencing due to climate change.” The economic impact of Hurricane Melissa is expected to be severe, with damage to agriculture, tourism, and housing estimated in the billions of dollars.

The human toll of the disaster continues to mount as well, with health officials warning about the risk of waterborne diseases in flooded communities. “Standing water creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding and contaminates drinking water sources,” cautioned Dr. Marcus Johnson, Jamaica’s Health Minister. “We’re already seeing cases of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections in evacuation centers.” For residents of St. Elizabeth Parish, the immediate focus remains on survival and salvaging what they can from their flooded homes. Community leaders have organized volunteer networks to deliver supplies to stranded neighbors and share resources. “Jamaicans are resilient people,” said Reverend Thomas Clarke, who has transformed his church into an emergency shelter. “We will rebuild, but we need help now to ensure everyone survives this disaster.” As another night falls on St. Elizabeth Parish, the waters continue their slow, inexorable rise, a sobering reminder of nature’s power and the urgent need for infrastructure adaptation in a changing climate.