Trendpills
Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, has carved a path of destruction through the Caribbean, leaving at least 34 people dead and causing catastrophic damage across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. The storm made landfall in eastern Jamaica as a historic Category 5 hurricane, unleashing sustained winds of over 160 mph and triggering widespread flooding and landslides.
In Jamaica, the storm's initial impact was devastating. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Melissa made a historic landfall before weakening, but not before causing extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture. Entire communities were left without power and cut off by washed-out roads and bridges, hampering initial rescue efforts. The southern coast, including areas around Kingston, experienced significant storm surge and torrential rainfall.
After battering Jamaica, the storm moved northward, bringing life-threatening conditions to eastern Cuba and Haiti. Though it had weakened slightly, Melissa's immense rainfall caused deadly floods and mudslides in both nations. In Haiti, already grappling with instability, the storm exacerbated the humanitarian situation, flooding shelters and displacing vulnerable families in areas around Port-au-Prince. Cuban authorities reported significant damage to buildings and crops in the eastern provinces.
International aid agencies are mobilizing to respond to the crisis. The Red Cross described the hurricane as a "disaster of unprecedented catastrophe" for the region, highlighting the immense challenge of providing shelter, clean water, and medical aid to the thousands affected. As the storm slowly moves away and weakens, emergency crews are working to reach isolated areas and assess the full extent of the damage, with authorities warning that the number of casualties is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
