Hurricane Melissa continues its devastating sweep across Caribbean

(MENAFN) Hurricane Melissa has swept through the Caribbean with catastrophic impact, destroying homes, flooding communities, and claiming dozens of lives.

In Jamaica, where the storm struck directly as a category five hurricane, at least five deaths have been confirmed. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the damage as "total devastation," noting that "80-90% of roofs were destroyed," along with hospitals, libraries, police stations, port facilities, and other infrastructure.

King Charles expressed his concern, stating he was "deeply concerned" and "profoundly saddened" by the destruction. "This most dreadful of record-breaking storms reminds us of the increasingly urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of Nature for the sake of all those whose lives and livelihoods may have been shattered by this heartbreaking disaster," he said.

Melissa caused mudslides in Jamaica and tossed palm trees like toothpicks before moving north to Cuba as a category three storm, with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Santiago de Cuba resident Rovier Mesa Rodríguez described it as "terrifying," saying it sounded "like a tornado."

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged citizens to "not let their guard down," noting that preparations for the worst-case scenario had mitigated some of the damage.

By Wednesday night, Melissa had reached 105 miles (170 km) from central Bahamas, moving northeast with 100 mph (155 km/h) winds, bringing a dangerous storm surge. Tropical storm warnings were issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the storm expected to accelerate in the coming days.

In Jamaica, Desmond McKenzie, minister of Local Government and Community Development, confirmed three men and a woman died after being swept away by floodwaters. Approximately 75% of the country lost electricity overnight. Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon reported that half the city had been cut off by flooding, with priority given to "check if everybody is alive."

Residents recounted personal losses, including a St Elizabeth woman whose roof was blown off her four-bedroom home and a Kingston resident, Gordon Swaby, whose cousin lost her seaside “dream” house. Central Jamaica, including the city of Mandeville, was left flattened, with debris covering main roads. Pia Chevallier, visiting the island, said she felt "sick with worry" as windows shook violently during the storm.

In Haiti, at least 20 people, including 10 children, died due to river floods, with 3,000 forced into shelters after flash flooding and landslides. Pascal Bimenyimana from World Relief reported, "Many homes have been washed away on the coast," and that people were clearing debris by hand. Crops were also destroyed across the southern regions.

The US is deploying a disaster response team to Jamaica to assess needs, while Haiti and the Bahamas have also formally requested assistance. The aid comes after the Trump administration’s closure of USAID and significant cuts to foreign assistance.

Melissa is not expected to make landfall in North America but will remain a powerful extratropical cyclone as it approaches St Johns, Newfoundland, on Friday night.

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