Hurricane Melissa remains an extremely dangerous Category 3 storm, moving north toward eastern Cuba after delivering catastrophic damage to Jamaica. With powerful winds, heavy rain, and wide reach, it ranks among the strongest hurricanes recorded in the region in recent years.
Jamaica suffered the storm’s most devastating impact so far. Violent winds ripped roofs from homes, uprooted trees, and destroyed fragile buildings, while torrential rain flooded roads and neighborhoods. Emergency responders struggled to reach isolated communities as conditions worsened.
At least seven deaths have been linked to the storm across the Caribbean—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic—though officials warn the toll may rise as assessments continue. Authorities stress this was a life-threatening event, not a routine storm.
Jamaica has declared a national disaster. More than 500,000 residents are without electricity, leaving hospitals and water systems reliant on generators. Flooded neighborhoods, damaged schools, and washed-out roads have complicated relief efforts, prompting the United States to pledge emergency assistance.
Cuba is now bracing for impact, evacuating more than 735,000 people from coastal and flood-prone areas. Officials warn of winds up to 120 mph, rainfall reaching 25 inches, and storm surges of up to 12 feet, threatening homes, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already experienced severe flooding and landslides from Melissa’s outer bands. In Haiti, fragile infrastructure worsened the damage, while urban flooding and outages affected parts of the Dominican Republic.
Meteorologists warn that prolonged rainfall poses ongoing dangers even after the storm weakens. Flooding, landslides, contaminated water, and downed power lines may threaten lives for days.
Officials urge residents to follow evacuation orders, rely on verified information, and avoid returning too soon. Recovery is expected to take months and will require regional cooperation and international support.
