Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica on Tuesday, unleashing fierce winds and heavy rain that caused widespread destruction across the island. The storm made landfall as one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded, before moving north toward Cuba.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a “disaster area” and urged people to stay indoors. Authorities warned that even though the hurricane’s center had passed, risks of severe flooding and landslides continued.

Widespread Power Outage and Communication Breakdown

The full scale of the destruction remains unclear. Officials said it could take several days to assess the total damage. Large parts of Jamaica are still without power, and communication networks remain disrupted.

At its most intense, Hurricane Melissa recorded sustained winds of 185 miles (300 kilometers) per hour. Officials have not yet released information about possible casualties.

Hospitals and Farmlands Badly Hit

Government minister Desmond McKenzie confirmed that several hospitals were damaged, especially in the southwestern Saint Elizabeth district. He described the coastal region as being “underwater.”

“The damage to Saint Elizabeth is extensive, based on what we have seen,” McKenzie said during a briefing. “Saint Elizabeth is the bread basket of the country, and that has taken a beating. The entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa.”

The agricultural heartland of Jamaica has suffered major losses, threatening food supply and livelihoods.

Strongest Hurricane in Jamaica’s History

Meteorologists said Melissa was the most powerful hurricane ever to strike Jamaica. The storm’s maximum wind speeds surpassed even those of some of the world’s most destructive hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated New Orleans.

As Melissa moves toward Cuba, emergency teams continue to rescue stranded residents and clear blocked roads in Jamaica. Recovery efforts are expected to take weeks.