Deforestation magnifies landslide and flooding risks after Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa pummeled the Caribbean region, striking especially hard in Jamaica and Cuba, where the storm’s heavy rainfall and intense winds triggered extensive landslides and flooding in areas already weakened by decades of deforestation. 

In western Jamaica, particularly in the parish of St. Elizabeth, the storm delivered more than 0.9 meters (3 ft) of rain in some locations, while sustained winds reached up to 185 mph (298 kph) as the storm made landfall. The extreme rainfall, combined with terrain stripped of tree cover and vegetation, led to flash floods and landslides that blocked major roads, undermined infrastructure, and hampered rescue operations. 

Experts emphasize that the condition of the landscape before the storm, specifically the long-term removal of trees that stabilize soil and slow runoff, exacerbated the damage. In Jamaica, about 50 percent of the land falls into high landslide-risk categories, and from 2001 to 2024, the island lost 7.4 percent of its tree cover, including substantial old-growth forest loss. This leaves slopes vulnerable to failure in heavy rain events such as Melissa. 

Beyond Jamaica, Cuba also saw significant landslide activity following Melissa’s passage. Authorities there noted that many remote mountain areas were cut off by landslides and flood damage, and recovery efforts were complicated by blocked roads and disrupted communications. 

Officials caution that while the full scale of destruction remains unclear, due to hazardous conditions and power outages, ongoing rainfall bands behind the storm system continue to heighten the risk of further slope failures and flooding in the coming days.