Hurricane Melissa has carved a path of destruction across the Caribbean, leaving at least 20 people dead and causing widespread ruin in parts of Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti. The powerful storm is now moving toward Bermuda, prompting officials to issue precautionary warnings for the island....Click to Read More >>➤
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) discontinued its hurricane warning for the central and southeastern Bahamas early Thursday. However, the agency cautioned residents in affected areas to follow local guidance. Dangers like downed power lines and persistent flooding remain serious threats even after the storm passes.
Flooding is expected to subside in the Bahamas later Thursday. Yet, significant flood risks continue for Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. As of 5:00 a.m. US Eastern Time, the storm was located approximately 685 miles southwest of Bermuda.
The Bermuda government has already alerted its citizens. Officials stated that Hurricane Melissa is forecast to pass near the island as a Category 1 hurricane. While not a direct hit, its proximity necessitates safety measures.
Assessing the Widespread Damage
In Cuba, residents are beginning to confront the extensive damage. President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the impact as severe. People in the eastern part of the island are navigating flooded and collapsed homes. Streets are submerged, windows are shattered, and power and communication lines are down.
Authorities evacuated about 735,000 people, primarily from Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo. For many, the storm took everything. Mariela Reyes, a 55-year-old homemaker in Santiago de Cuba, saw the wind tear the roof from her house and carry it a block away. She salvaged a television and a few small appliances from her flooded home, lamenting the loss of the little she had.
The international community is mobilizing a response. Pope Leo offered prayers from the Vatican. The United States confirmed it is in contact with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that rescue teams and lifesaving supplies are heading to affected areas. The UK government has pledged £2.5 million in emergency funding for the region.
Caribbean Nations Declare Disaster
The situation in Jamaica is dire. UN resident coordinator Dennis Zulu reported “tremendous, unprecedented devastation” to infrastructure, property, and road networks. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire island a disaster area. Many homes were destroyed, and approximately 25,000 people sought safety in shelters.
Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon told CNN that officials cannot yet confirm fatality reports. Communication breakdowns and blocked roads have prevented access to the hardest-hit areas, complicating the full assessment of Hurricane Melissa’s impact.
In southern Haiti, the human cost is already tragically clear. At least 20 people, including 10 children, died in floods triggered as Hurricane Melissa passed. Civil defense agency head Emmanuel Pierre confirmed another 10 individuals are missing.
Resident Steeve Louissaint described the scene in the coastal town of Petit-Goave. He reported that people were killed and houses were swept away after the Digue River burst its banks.
Record-Breaking Storm Intensity
Hurricane Melissa tied a record set in 1935 for the most intense storm ever to make landfall when it hit Jamaica on Tuesday. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed this historic strength.
On the ground, the destruction is absolute. In Seaford Town, farmer and businessman Christopher Hacker saw his restaurant and nearby banana plantations completely flattened. He expressed the despair of many, stating simply that everything is gone and recovery will be a massive challenge.
The full scale of the damage from Hurricane Melissa remains unknown. A comprehensive assessment will likely take days as communication networks are restored and responders reach isolated communities. This catastrophic event serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature that can devastate the Caribbean with little warning. ...Click to Read More >>➤
