Hurricane Melissa Kills 44 in Caribbean Devastation

Catastrophic Hurricane Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Jamaica and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, has claimed at least 44 lives across the Caribbean, with devastating impacts in Jamaica and Haiti. The Category 5 storm made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, with winds reaching 185 mph - tying the record for the most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history.

Jamaica's 'Ground Zero'

In Jamaica, authorities confirmed 19 fatalities as the hurricane tore through the island nation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the coastal community of Black River as Jamaica's 'ground zero' after witnessing the complete devastation. 'What we are seeing is unprecedented in our nation's history,' Holness stated during his tour of the hardest-hit areas.

The hurricane left hundreds of thousands without power, with 77% of the island experiencing outages. More than 130 roads became impassable due to fallen trees and debris, severely hampering rescue and relief efforts. The Jamaica Defence Force has been deployed to clear routes and assist with recovery operations.

Haiti's Flooding Catastrophe

In neighboring Haiti, the death toll reached 25, with many victims perishing in the town of Petit-Goave when the La Digue River overflowed its banks. 'The river came without warning and buried entire homes under mud,' reported Emmanuel Pierre, head of the Haitian Office of Civil Protection. Among the victims were 10 children, with many residents still missing.

The slow-moving hurricane brought days of torrential rainfall to Haiti, causing widespread flooding across southern regions. Approximately 900 families have been displaced, with over 3,650 people taking shelter in public facilities according to Haitian Times.

Cuba's Massive Evacuation

While Cuba avoided fatalities, the island nation conducted one of the largest hurricane evacuations in its history, moving more than 735,000 people to safety before Melissa's arrival. The storm caused significant infrastructure damage, including downed power lines and blocked roads, particularly in eastern provinces.

International Response and Recovery

The United States has dispatched rescue teams and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and medical supplies. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $4 million to assist more than 100,000 Haitians at risk.

Preliminary damage estimates across the Caribbean region approach $50 billion, making Melissa one of the costliest hurricanes in recent memory. As the storm weakens to Category 2 strength and moves toward Bermuda, affected nations face months of recovery ahead.

'This is not just a storm - it's a life-changing event for our entire region,' said a relief coordinator with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.