Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti, causing numerous fatalities and extensive damage on Wednesday. The storm led to power outages and forced residents to evacuate their homes due to severe flooding.
In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish, Santa Cruz faced a major landslide that blocked the main roads, leaving the streets covered in mud. Residents struggled to salvage their belongings amid the chaos, with a high school also experiencing roof damage. Local resident Jennifer Small expressed shock at the unprecedented scale of destruction.
The impact of the deadly Category 5 hurricane remained uncertain due to widespread power outages and hazardous conditions. Haiti reported at least 25 fatalities and 18 individuals missing, primarily in a southern coastal town where flooding destroyed numerous homes. Mayor Jean Bertrand Subreme urgently sought government assistance in rescuing victims.
Cuba faced collapsed houses, blocked mountain roads, and damaged roofs, particularly in the southwest and northwest regions. Approximately 735,000 people sought refuge in shelters. Santiago de Cuba resident Reinaldo Charon described the harrowing experience, emphasizing the night’s terror during the storm’s onslaught.
While Melissa weakened to a Category 2 hurricane after passing through Cuba, it continued to pose threats as it moved northeast. The storm’s center was located southeast of the central Bahamas with sustained winds of 150 km/h. Authorities in the Bahamas evacuated residents from the southeast region in anticipation of Melissa’s impact.
Canadian authorities advised against travel to various regions affected by the hurricane, including Jamaica, parts of Cuba, Haiti, the southeastern and central Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bermuda. Canadians requiring emergency assistance were urged to contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
In Jamaica, the storm caused significant damage, leading to power outages affecting most of the island. Recovery efforts faced challenges due to communication disruptions. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness assured that relief supplies were being prepared, emphasizing the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy swiftly.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba prompted residents to clear debris and assess the widespread destruction. The eastern province of Santiago de Cuba witnessed damaged homes and infrastructure, further exacerbating the country’s existing economic crisis. The U.S. pledged support for recovery efforts in the Caribbean nations affected by the storm.
The reinstatement of an economic embargo on Cuba by the U.S. administration in June, along with restrictions on tourism, added to the challenges faced by the hurricane-impacted regions.