Hurricane Melissa has caused significant devastation across the northern Caribbean region, with the confirmed death toll rising to 49 as per official reports. Haiti, although not directly hit by the hurricane, experienced severe consequences, including at least 30 fatalities and 20 individuals reported missing due to heavy rains from the slow-moving storm. In the town of Petit-Goave in southern Haiti, a river overflow led to the deaths of 23 individuals, including 10 children, and inflicted damage on infrastructure and agriculture.
Jamaica also faced the wrath of Hurricane Melissa, with the information minister confirming at least 19 fatalities. The storm disrupted power supply for hundreds of thousands, destroyed roofs, and caused widespread destruction in agricultural areas. In response, Jamaica’s military has mobilized reserve personnel for relief and rescue operations.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, marking the strongest storm to hit the nation directly and the first major hurricane since 1988. The hurricane had wind speeds surpassing the threshold for the strongest hurricane classification, ranking it as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record when it struck land.
Forecasters estimate the total damage and economic losses in the western Caribbean from Hurricane Melissa to range between $67 and $72 billion. Although the storm also impacted eastern Cuba, where around 735,000 people were evacuated, no fatalities were reported as of Thursday despite significant property and crop damage.
As of the latest update, Hurricane Melissa was classified as a Category 2 storm located 264 kilometers west of Bermuda in the North Atlantic, with sustained winds of 161 km/h. While Bermuda prepared for potential impacts, authorities took precautionary measures, including closing the causeway and suspending school and ferry services.
In the Bahamas, where Hurricane Melissa passed through on Wednesday night, storm warnings were lifted, but authorities refrained from granting an “all clear.” Evacuated individuals were advised to wait until Saturday for a decision on returning to their residences on affected islands.
