UPDATE: The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has tragically climbed to 49, with the storm wreaking havoc across the northern Caribbean and intensifying as it approaches Bermuda. Authorities in Haiti report at least 30 deaths and 20 missing due to devastating rains, while Jamaica confirms 19 fatalities as search and rescue operations continue.
Hurricane Melissa, which struck southwestern Jamaica on October 3, 2023, as a powerful category five hurricane, has been described as the nation’s strongest-ever storm. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as the hurricane ripped through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and devastating infrastructure.
In Haiti’s southern town of Petit-Goave, at least 23 people, including 10 children, lost their lives when a river overflowed its banks. The torrential rains have also caused extensive damage to roads, homes, and farmlands. Amid the destruction, Jamaica’s military has mobilized reserve personnel to assist in ongoing relief efforts, with the nation’s main airport and capital’s port reopening for aid operations.
AccuWeather forecasts the economic losses across the western Caribbean could soar between $48 billion and $52 billion, as Melissa ties for the second strongest Atlantic hurricane on record based on wind speed. The storm’s slow movement has compounded the damage, with over 130 roads blocked by fallen debris and electrical lines, hampering emergency response efforts.
Late Thursday, Melissa was downgraded to a category two storm, located 264 km west of Bermuda, packing maximum sustained winds of 161 km/h. Although residents of Bermuda remain calm, the storm’s trajectory is still being closely monitored. In the Bahamas, authorities lifted storm warnings but are expected to decide by Saturday on the return of evacuated residents.
In Cuba, where 735,000 people were evacuated before the storm, no fatalities have been reported. However, at least 241 communities remain isolated, impacting approximately 140,000 residents. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. is prepared to offer “immediate humanitarian aid” to both Jamaica and Cuba, with search and rescue teams en route to assist recovery efforts.
Haitian authorities are now facing a dire need for humanitarian aid as they deal with the aftermath of the storm, which has left many areas flooded and cut off from communication. Many Caribbean leaders are calling for reparations from wealthy nations to help recover from the devastating impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
As recovery efforts ramp up, the urgent need for aid and support in the hardest-hit regions is paramount. The situation remains fluid, and developments are expected as officials assess the full extent of the damage and begin the long road to recovery.
