St. Elizabeth Parish, southwestern Jamaica, is the first to be struck by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) are tearing through the area, causing severe flooding and destruction.

 

After Hurricane Melissa, many Jamaicans are still struggling to reach loved ones.

In Clarkstown, Trelawny, Tiffany Edwards has become a quiet hero — taking down phone numbers and sending messages for neighbours using one of the few spots with service.

In a time when connection… pic.twitter.com/2mBFARLjHU

— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) October 31, 2025

This post from Jamaica Observer celebrates Tiffany Edwards' initiative in Clarkstown, Trelawny, where she collects neighbors' phone numbers to relay messages to overseas family via a rare signal spot, highlighting human ingenuity amid telecom failures after Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that battered Jamaica on October 29, 2025, inflicted US$5-16 billion in damages, four confirmed deaths, and severe disruptions to power, roads, and communications, exacerbating isolation in rural areas like Trelawny.

Edwards' story exemplifies broader recovery themes in Jamaica's response, including community-led support and international aid like US DART teams, while warnings of scam relief sites underscore vulnerabilities in disaster fundraising.