Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Caribbean, Dozens Confirmed Dead
Hurricane Melissa has left at least 40 people dead and caused widespread devastation across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, with communities grappling with collapsed homes, downed power lines, and severe flooding as of today.
In Haiti, Steven Aristil with the Civil Protection Agency reported at least 40 fatalities, including 20 in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve, where another 10 people remain missing. The mayor of Petit-Goâve initially reported 25 deaths in the community due to flooding that collapsed numerous homes, though numbers are fluctuating as rescue efforts continue. Jamaica is also reeling from the storm’s impact, with a landslide blocking roads in St. Elizabeth parish and over 25,000 people sheltering after losing their homes. “I never see anything like this before in all my years living here,” said resident Jennifer Small.
Cuba is assessing damage concentrated in the southwest and northwest, with officials reporting collapsed houses and blocked mountain roads; approximately 735,000 people remain in shelters. Reinaldo Charon, a resident of Santiago de Cuba, described the night as “hell,” while images emerged of significant damage to the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Hospital. This disaster comes at a particularly challenging time for Cuba, which is already facing a severe economic crisis with shortages of fuel, food, and essential supplies.
The U.S. Defense Department deployed “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft to gather critical weather data, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. is sending rescue and response teams to assist in recovery efforts across the Caribbean. Jamaican officials are working to restore power – currently out for 77% of the island – and reopen airports to facilitate the delivery of aid, while authorities in Black River pleaded for assistance, stating the situation is “catastrophic.” The National Hurricane Center reports Melissa is now moving northeast, affecting the southeastern Bahamas, with the potential for significant storm surge.
Officials say recovery will take time, but governments are fully mobilized and preparing relief supplies to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
