Hurricane Melissa has unleashed devastating destruction and loss of life across several Caribbean nations as it continues its path toward the Bahamas and Bermuda. The powerful storm, classified as a Category 3 hurricane at its peak, has inflicted severe damage in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming dozens of lives and leaving communities reeling in its wake.
Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday near the city of Chivirico, striking as an “extremely dangerous” Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) based in Miami. Prior to reaching Cuba, the storm battered Jamaica on Tuesday with sustained winds reaching an astonishing 185 miles per hour, ranking it among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. Such intense winds have caused widespread devastation, toppling trees, ripping roofs from homes, and causing significant flooding.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Melissa’s eye was located approximately 80 miles southeast of the central Bahamas and some 890 miles southwest of Bermuda. The storm had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, but remained a serious threat as it moved northeast at roughly 16 miles per hour. The hurricane was forecast to pass over the southeastern or central Bahamas Wednesday evening and approach Bermuda by late Thursday, prompting evacuations and emergency preparations in these areas.
The human toll from Hurricane Melissa is tragically high. Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency reported at least 23 deaths with 13 people still missing, underscoring the storm’s deadly impact in a country already vulnerable to natural disasters. Jamaica reported four confirmed fatalities, with additional deaths and injuries still being investigated amid communication blackouts. One death was also confirmed in the Dominican Republic, where a tree fell on a baby.
In Jamaica, the scale of the destruction is staggering. More than 25,000 people sought refuge in emergency shelters on Wednesday as their homes were damaged or destroyed. The storm knocked out power to 77 percent of the island, complicating rescue efforts and damage assessments. The loss of communication in many areas has made it difficult for officials to fully gauge the extent of the storm’s impact. Richard Thompson, the acting director-general of Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, described a “total communication blackout” in some regions, hampering coordination and relief efforts.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness assured the public that the government was fully mobilized to respond to the crisis. “Recovery will take time,” he said, “but relief supplies are being prepared, and we are doing everything possible to restore normalcy quickly.” Emergency teams were actively engaged in rescue operations and delivering aid to the hardest-hit communities.
The coastal town of Black River in southwest Jamaica, home to about 5,000 residents, was among the places hardest hit. Mayor Richard Solomon described the devastation as catastrophic, noting that local rescue infrastructure had been decimated by floods. The town’s hospital, police stations, and emergency services were overwhelmed, and the facility used to store relief supplies was destroyed by the storm. The mayor’s grim assessment reflected the challenges facing emergency responders trying to assist the community amid severely damaged infrastructure.
Personal stories of loss and hardship emerged from across Jamaica. David Muschette, an 84-year-old resident of southwest Jamaica, was left homeless after Melissa destroyed his house. Sitting amid the rubble of his roofless home, he pleaded for help as his belongings lay drenched in the grass. His story represents countless others grappling with the immediate aftermath of the storm and the daunting road to recovery.
Jamaican authorities are working to reopen airports as soon as possible to expedite the delivery of emergency supplies and support. The United States has pledged assistance as well, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the deployment of rescue and response teams to aid recovery in Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Rubio expressed solidarity with the Caribbean people, offering prayers and support during this difficult time.
In Cuba, residents began the arduous process of cleaning up after Melissa’s landfall. In the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, locals were seen clearing debris and inspecting damage to homes and infrastructure. Alexis Ramos, a 54-year-old fisherman, surveyed the ruins of his home, emphasizing that while life is the most important thing, the financial cost to rebuild would be substantial. The toll on Cuba’s infrastructure was evident, with severe damage reported at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Hospital, where glass was shattered, walls crumbled, and waiting rooms were left in ruins.
Cuban President