Hurricane Melissa continued its punishing march across the Caribbean on Wednesday, leaving widespread damage, mass evacuations and mounting humanitarian concerns in its wake. The storm made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane—one of the most powerful Atlantic systems ever recorded—before striking eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3.
Cuba Reports Significant Damage
Cuban officials say at least 241 communities, home to more than 140,000 people, have been cut off due to rising river levels and washed-out roads.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged “significant” damage, but credited extensive preparations for preventing an even worse disaster. More than 735,000 residents were evacuated ahead of landfall. Rainfall totals of up to 25 inches in mountainous areas have triggered landslide and flash-flood concerns.
Satellite imagery on Wednesday morning showed Melissa’s cloud shield sprawling far beyond Cuba, covering much of the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Jamaica Declared a Disaster Zone
In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area, partly to prevent price gouging as residents scramble for food, water, and essential supplies.
Authorities reported severe damage to critical infrastructure, including hospitals, airports, and housing in western and central regions. More than half a million people lost power at the height of the storm.
An estimated 25,000 tourists remain in Jamaica; officials say there is no immediate cause for alarm, and an interactive shelter locator has been launched by the government.
Eyewitness accounts describe a frightening night of howling winds, collapsing structures, and uprooted trees. Residents in flood-prone districts remain anxious as authorities assess the full extent of devastation at first light.
Human Toll Mounts
At least seven deaths have been confirmed so far:
Three in Jamaica during storm preparations
Three in Haiti
One in the Dominican Republic
Officials warn the numbers could rise once communication is restored to remote regions.
Lingering Heat Compounds Crisis
On Wednesday, Jamaica faced dangerous triple-digit heat index values, a harsh combination with widespread power outages and ongoing cleanup efforts. Health officials urged frequent rest and hydration to avoid heat-related illness.
United Kingdom Deploys Aid
The U.K. Foreign Office announced a £2.5 million ($3.3 million) emergency aid package, including shelter kits, blankets, water filters, and rapid-response personnel. Supplies staged in Antigua will be delivered across the region as conditions permit.
U.S. Monitoring Situation
President Donald Trump, traveling in Asia, said the United States is prepared to assist Jamaica “on a humanitarian basis” and is closely tracking developments.
Climate Conditions Supercharged the Storm
Experts say extraordinarily warm Caribbean waters—2.5°F above normal—helped supercharge Melissa, leading to two rapid intensification phases. The storm reached 185 mph winds, tying records for the strongest Atlantic landfall on record.
Climate researchers point to Melissa as a stark example of how warming oceans are boosting storm intensity.
Historic Strength
Melissa is notable for several reasons:
Second-strongest Atlantic hurricane by wind speed in recorded history
Ties for strongest windspeed landfall ever in the Atlantic basin
Stronger at Jamaican landfall than 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert by 55 mph
Third Category 5 storm of the 2025 season
A post-season review may revise its historic rankings.
Slow Movement Worsened Damage
For days, weak steering currents caused Melissa to drift at 2–3 mph, prolonging rainfall across Haiti and Jamaica. Some regions endured 7–8 days of steady downpours, with estimated rainfall of 12–20 inches in southern Haiti alone.
What’s Next
Now downgraded to a Category 2 system, Melissa is expected to move offshore toward the central and southeastern Bahamas, where hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surge, and 5–10 inches of rainfall are likely later today.
Flooding and landslide risks remain high across mountainous Caribbean terrain.
Authorities in affected countries are urging residents to:
Remain sheltered
Avoid flooded roadways
Report blocked routes and damaged areas via official government channels
As day breaks, emergency teams are preparing for lengthy rebuilding efforts across some of the hardest-hit communities.