MIAMI — Emergency crews across the Caribbean are scrambling to restore basic services and reach isolated communities after Hurricane Melissa carved a devastating path through the region this week, marking one of the most powerful Atlantic storms recorded in more than a century.
The storm’s violent winds and relentless rainfall battered Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and parts of the Bahamas, destroying homes, crippling power infrastructure and prompting massive evacuations. At least 30 people have been confirmed dead, and officials warn the number could climb as assessment teams reach remote areas.
Melissa, which briefly peaked as a Category 5, is now tracking toward Bermuda as a Category 2 storm. While forecasters do not expect a direct landfall, authorities on the island have implemented strict precautionary measures, including shutting down schools, ferries and the Causeway — a crucial transport link connecting St. David’s Island. National Security Minister Michael Weeks described the move as an “abundance of caution.”
Jamaica faces worst damage
Jamaica absorbed the full force of Melissa when it roared ashore Tuesday with estimated sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph), triggering catastrophic flooding and widespread power loss. Authorities are still struggling to access heavily damaged areas, particularly in the southern parishes.
Four bodies were recovered in St. Elizabeth Parish, a government source confirmed, though an official national death toll has not been released. Three additional people were killed during storm preparations.
Infrastructure across the island has been described as “severely compromised.” Nearly 140,000 residents were cut off at the storm’s peak, and emergency teams are pushing through blocked roadways to deliver medical assistance. Soldiers and residents were seen manually moving ambulances past debris in Santa Cruz toward coastal communities hit hardest.
An estimated 25,000 tourists remain in Jamaica after the storm’s passage, according to officials.
Cuba reports ‘extensive damage’
Hurricane Melissa made a second landfall in Cuba Wednesday as a Category 3, unleashing flooding, mudslides and power failures primarily in the eastern provinces. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reported “extensive damage” to rural housing and agricultural regions.
More than 735,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm’s arrival. In Santiago province, 241 communities were cut off from emergency access, officials said.
High death toll in Haiti despite no direct landfall
Haiti recorded the most fatalities so far — at least 23 deaths, mostly from flash flooding and landslides. In the coastal city of Petit-Goâve, a river overwhelmed its banks, sweeping away homes with little warning. Local residents described chaotic escape attempts in waist-deep currents.
Ten of the victims were children, authorities confirmed.
One resident, Steven Guadard, told the Associated Press he lost his entire family to the floodwaters. “I had four children at home,” he said, struggling to speak.
International support begins to mobilize
Global relief efforts are accelerating:
The United Kingdom pledged £2.5 million ($3.3 million) in humanitarian aid and chartered limited flights to evacuate British nationals stranded in Jamaica.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is prepared to deliver immediate assistance to Cuba.
Senior U.S. officials promised a “robust” response aimed at restoring basic services and medical access.
China’s ambassador to Cuba circulated video showing shipments of “family kit” supplies being distributed.
Search-and-rescue missions remain underway in multiple countries, with local emergency arms warning that damage assessments could take days, if not weeks.
Meteorologists continue to track Melissa’s northeastward arc, cautioning that hazardous surf and rip currents will persist along portions of the Atlantic coastline.