Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Leaves 49 Dead
The monster storm brought deadly floods, power cuts, and mass evacuations — and it’s not done yet.
Hurricane Melissa has torn through the northern Caribbean, leaving at least 49 people dead and thousands more scrambling for safety as it now churns north toward Bermuda.
Haiti suffered the worst losses — 30 deaths and 20 missing — after rivers overflowed, washing away homes and farms. In the southern town of Petit-Goave, 23 people, including 10 children, died when floodwaters surged through the area.
Jamaica also took a direct hit, with 19 confirmed deaths, massive power outages, and widespread destruction.
Jamaica’s Strongest Storm in Decades
Melissa slammed into southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest ever recorded to directly hit the island — and the most powerful since 1988.
The storm brought winds topping the highest Category 5 range, tying it for second strongest Atlantic hurricane ever in terms of windspeed, according to AccuWeather. Damage estimates run between $48 billion and $52 billion across the western Caribbean.
The Jamaican military has called in reserves to help with relief operations as power remains out for over 70% of the island, and more than 130 roads are still blocked.
Cuba and the Bahamas Brace for Recovery
Melissa also swept through eastern Cuba, forcing 735,000 evacuations. While no deaths have been reported there, thousands of homes and crops were damaged, and 241 communities remain cut off.
In the Bahamas, storm warnings have been lifted, but officials haven’t yet given the “all clear.” Hundreds of evacuees are still waiting to return home.
Where Melissa Is Headed Next
As of late Thursday, the hurricane had weakened to a Category 2 system about 264 km west of Bermuda, packing winds up to 161 kph.
Bermuda isn’t in the direct path, but authorities are taking no chances — schools and ferries are closed, and the island’s main causeway is temporarily shut “out of an abundance of caution.”
Calls for Climate Action
Experts say hurricanes like Melissa are getting stronger and slower because of warming oceans linked to climate change. Caribbean leaders are once again urging wealthy nations to step up aid and climate reparations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has pledged immediate humanitarian aid to Jamaica and Cuba to support recovery efforts.
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