A trail of devastation and a rising death toll is being reported across the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a powerful storm that carved a path of destruction through Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba.
The hurricane first made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, with sustained winds reaching 295 kilometers per hour, making it one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The impact was severe and tragic. Jamaican State Minister Abka Fitz-Henley confirmed that at least one death occurred on the island when a tree fell on an infant.
The situation in Haiti is reported to be equally grim, with the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve suffering a particularly heavy blow. Mayor John Betwad stated that at least 25 fatalities have been confirmed in the area due to severe flooding. The disaster unfolded as the Ramine River overflowed its banks, causing many homes to collapse and trapping residents under debris.
As the storm moved on to Cuba, it remained a powerful Category 3 hurricane, grinding across the eastern part of the island. Widespread destruction has been reported, including collapsed houses, roofs torn from buildings, and critical mountain roads blocked by debris, particularly in the southwest and northwest regions.
The scale of the disruption is massive. Cuban authorities estimate that approximately 735,000 people are currently sheltering in eastern Cuba, underscoring the extensive displacement caused by the hurricane.
Emergency response efforts are underway across the affected nations, but the full extent of the damage and the final casualty count from Hurricane Melissa are still being assessed as communities begin the long process of recovery.
