Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, has claimed at least 29 lives across Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic as it tore through the Caribbean before making landfall in Cuba on Wednesday. The Category-5 hurricane, packing winds close to 300 km/h, is being described by meteorologists as the strongest Atlantic hurricane since 1935’s Labor Day Hurricane.
According to an AFP analysis of data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Melissa’s central pressure of 892 millibars and its sustained winds match the 1935 storm that devastated the Florida Keys — making it the most powerful hurricane in nine decades.
Jamaica Declared Disaster Zone
Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category-5 storm, flattening homes, uprooting trees, and inundating entire towns. The Jamaican government has declared the country a disaster zone, with widespread flooding and infrastructure collapse reported in multiple parishes.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a message posted on X, urged citizens to “remain hopeful” despite the devastation.
“Your homes may have been damaged or destroyed, and your communities no longer look the same. We are mobilizing quickly to start relief and recovery efforts, and we will be there with you every step of the way,” Holness said.
At least three Jamaicans were killed in storm-related incidents, including two who died while cutting trees ahead of the hurricane and one who was electrocuted. Four hospitals were damaged, one of which lost power, forcing the evacuation of 75 patients, officials confirmed.
Local government minister Desmond McKenzie said several parishes, including St. Elizabeth, were completely submerged, leaving families stranded in their homes. “Rescue teams have reached several isolated areas, including one group with four babies,” McKenzie said.
Haiti and Dominican Republic Suffer Heavy Toll
In Haiti, the storm unleashed catastrophic flooding after the La Digue river burst its banks, killing 25 people in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve, according to Mayor Jean Bertrand Subrème. One death was also reported in the Dominican Republic.
Images emerging from across the island nations show entire neighborhoods under water, collapsed bridges, and widespread power outages. Relief operations are now underway, with international aid agencies coordinating with local governments to provide food, shelter, and medical supplies.
Cuba Braces for Impact
After ravaging Jamaica, Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba on Wednesday, prompting mass evacuations. Authorities reported that over 735,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas, with 500,000 moved to higher ground in anticipation of flooding and storm surges.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country had suffered “extensive damage” following landfall, warning citizens to brace for a “very difficult night.”
“We should already be feeling its main influence this afternoon and evening,” Díaz-Canel said in a message published in Granma. “It will be a tough night for all of Cuba, but we will recover.”
Next Path: Bahamas and Beyond
The Bahamas government has issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in its southern islands, with hurricane warnings now in effect for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas provinces, as well as southeastern and central Bahamas.
According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa is expected to weaken slightly as it moves northeast over Cuba, but will remain a major hurricane as it crosses the Bahamas and approaches Bermuda late Thursday. A hurricane watch has already been issued for the island nation.
Airports to Reopen for Relief Operations
Despite the widespread devastation, the Jamaican government announced plans to reopen airports by Thursday to facilitate the delivery of emergency aid and supplies to affected areas.
Unprecedented Storm Tied to Warming Oceans
Meteorologists have described Melissa as a “historic” storm, fueled by record-high Atlantic sea surface temperatures, which accelerated its rapid intensification. Experts warn that such super-hurricanes are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.
As Caribbean nations begin assessing the full scale of the destruction, rescue operations continue under challenging conditions, with thousands still displaced and communication lines down across several regions.
“It’s like a roaring lion. It’s mad. Really mad,” said a retiree from Portland Cottage, Jamaica, describing the storm to Reuters.
