Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage and claimed numerous lives in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti on Wednesday. The storm led to power outages, displacement of residents, and destruction of homes in flooded areas.
In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish, Santa Cruz was severely affected by a landslide that blocked main roads and turned streets into mud pits. Residents struggled to salvage their belongings amidst the chaos, with a high school shelter also suffering roof damage.
Haiti reported at least 25 deaths and 18 people missing, primarily in a southern coastal town where flooding destroyed numerous homes. Mayor Jean Bertrand Subreme expressed desperation for government assistance in rescuing victims.
Cuba faced collapsed houses, blocked roads, and damaged buildings, particularly in the southwest and northwest regions. Approximately 735,000 individuals sought refuge in shelters as the hurricane wreaked havoc.
Melissa, initially a Category 5 hurricane, weakened to a Category 2 storm as it crossed Cuba. By midweek, the hurricane sustained winds of 150 km/h and was moving northeast towards the central Bahamas.
The Canadian government advised against travel to various regions affected by Melissa, including Jamaica, certain parts of Cuba, Haiti, southeastern and central Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bermuda.
The aftermath of Melissa in Jamaica left over 25,000 people seeking shelter due to damaged homes and widespread power outages. Emergency response efforts were hindered by communication blackouts in some areas.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness assured that the government was mobilized for recovery, despite the catastrophic conditions. Various officials and residents expressed concerns over the long path to rebuilding in the storm’s aftermath.
The U.S. announced sending rescue teams to aid in the Caribbean’s recovery efforts post-Melissa. Additionally, the U.S. administration reinstated an economic embargo on Cuba in June, restricting tourism to the country.
