Source: BBC (Re-written and Edited)
DST News: The full scale of damage left behind by Hurricane Melissa is emerging after the storm ripped through several Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and parts of the Bahamas, leaving at least 34 people dead and thousands displaced.
Once a Category Five hurricane, Melissa weakened to Category Two strength as it pushed north on Thursday, but forecasters warned that the storm continued to carry dangerous winds and flooding risks as it moved toward Bermuda.
At its peak, Melissa recorded winds of up to 298 km/h (185 mph)—stronger than 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest storms in modern US history.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 165 km/h when the storm passed northeast of the Bahamas on Thursday. Although hurricane warnings have now been lifted for the central and southern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, officials urged residents to remain cautious. “Even a weakened hurricane can cause severe destruction,” warned Leon Lundy, the Bahamas’ minister responsible for disaster management.
Nearly 1,500 people were evacuated from low-lying or high-risk areas, in what authorities described as one of the country’s largest emergency mobilizations. Across the region, homes were torn apart, roads washed out, and tens of thousands of residents lost power.
Jamaica Hit Hard — Towns Cut Off
In St Elizabeth, a largely rural parish in southwestern Jamaica, entire communities were left stranded. Landslides, knee-deep mud, and collapsed bridges made travel impossible.
The town of Mandeville suffered extensive damage, with roofs peeled away, buildings flattened and infrastructure crippled. Residents described frightening scenes. “We are staying in our home even though the roof is gone and everything is flooded,”said Kabien, a mother of two in Santa Cruz. “The shelters aren’t safe for my children. We have no choice but to stay.” Communication networks in the region remain severely disrupted. Some Jamaicans have walked miles to report missing or deceased relatives.
Despite the widespread devastation, local officials shared one moment of hope: a baby was safely delivered during the storm, inspiring nurses to nickname the child “Baby Melissa.”
Haiti Suffers Heavy Losses
In Haiti, where gang violence and a humanitarian crisis have already strained essential services, at least 25 people—including 10 children—were reported dead as heavy rains triggered massive flooding.
Cuba Works to Clear Debris
In Santiago de Cuba, residents used machetes to clear debris and fallen trees blocking streets. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the damage was “significant,” though official casualty numbers have not been released.
Storm Continues Northward
The NHC expects floodwaters in the Bahamas to begin receding soon, but warned that dangerous conditions will persist in Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola for several days.
Hurricane Melissa has already become one of the most destructive storms to hit the Caribbean in recent history, and as rescue teams continue reaching affected areas, officials fear the death toll may rise.
