Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Killing Dozens

Catastrophic Damage Across Caribbean Nations

Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, with at least 44 confirmed deaths and widespread devastation in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. The Category 5 storm, which tied records as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in history, made landfall with 185 mph winds, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure, homes, and critical facilities.

Jamaica: Ground Zero of Destruction

Jamaica bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa's fury, with the storm making landfall near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish on October 28. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire country a disaster area, stating that '90 percent of the region around Black River is destroyed' and calling the city 'ground zero' for the devastation.

The Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth Parish suffered catastrophic damage, with the roof torn apart, walls collapsed, and the entire facility submerged under floodwaters. 'This hospital is completely destroyed, along with infrastructure, homes, offices and supermarkets,' reported Jamaican police officials. 'We cannot enter the area for rescue operations. The situation is very bad. We need all the help we can get.'

According to CNN reports, at least four people died in Jamaica, with 77% of the country losing electricity and 140,000 people cut off from essential services. The storm surge near Black River reached six feet above normally dry ground, flooding entire communities.

Haiti: Tragic Loss of Life

In Haiti, the hurricane claimed at least 25 lives, including 10 children who died when the La Digue River suddenly flooded in Petit-Goâve. A grieving father told the Associated Press: 'I had four children at home; a one-month-old baby, a 7-year-old child, an 8-year-old, and another who was almost 4.' His entire family perished in the flooding.

The Haitian Times reported that at least 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm across Haiti since October 23, with 10 people still missing. The hurricane displaced at least 900 families, with over 3,650 people sheltering in public facilities. The Haitian government declared October 29 a 'day off' nationwide as recovery efforts began.

Cuba: Mass Evacuations Prevent Loss of Life

Cuba managed to avoid fatalities through one of the largest evacuation operations in recent history. Authorities evacuated approximately 735,000 people before Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 storm in eastern Cuba on October 29. The hurricane struck about 20 miles east of Chivirico with sustained winds of 120 mph.

While no deaths were reported in Cuba, the storm caused significant damage to infrastructure, including power lines, roads, and agricultural plantations. The CNN coverage noted that at least 241 communities remained isolated without communications after the storm passed.

International Response and Recovery

International relief efforts are underway across the affected regions. The United Kingdom has provided £2.5 million in emergency funding, while the United States has deployed disaster assistance teams to support recovery operations. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $4 million to assist over 100,000 Haitians at risk.

As Hurricane Melissa weakens to Category 1 strength and moves northeast toward Bermuda, Caribbean nations face the massive task of rebuilding. The storm's rapid intensification from tropical storm to Category 5 hurricane in just days highlights the increasing threat of extreme weather events in the region, with scientists noting its intensity among a string of monster storms in the Atlantic basin.

The extensive damage to healthcare facilities, particularly in Jamaica where at least four hospitals suffered significant damage according to Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, creates additional challenges for medical services and patient care during the recovery phase.