Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread devastation across the northern Caribbean and has led to an increase in the confirmed death toll to 49 as per official reports on Thursday. The storm bypassed Bermuda in the North Atlantic after intensifying its speed. Although Haiti did not face a direct hit, it endured heavy rainfall from the slow-moving hurricane, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and 20 individuals reported missing.
In southern Haiti’s town of Petit-Goave, 23 people, including 10 children, lost their lives when a river overflowed. The region also suffered significant damage to roads, homes, and agricultural lands due to the heavy rains. Meanwhile, Jamaica reported at least 19 deaths, with ongoing search and rescue operations being conducted by authorities. The storm caused widespread power outages, structural damage to buildings, and debris scattered across fields.
The Jamaican military has mobilized reserve personnel to assist in relief and rescue missions. Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a formidable Category 5 hurricane, marking the nation’s most potent storm to hit directly in its history and the first major hurricane since 1988. The storm’s wind speeds exceeded the threshold for the strongest hurricane classification, placing it as the second most potent Atlantic hurricane based on record-breaking wind speeds upon landfall.
AccuWeather forecasters estimated the total damage and economic loss in the western Caribbean to range from $67 to $72 billion. While Melissa also impacted eastern Cuba, where around 735,000 individuals were evacuated, no fatalities were reported despite significant property and crop damage. As of Thursday evening, Melissa was classified as a Category 2 storm located 264 kilometers west of Bermuda, with sustained winds reaching 161 km/h, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Residents in Bermuda remained composed as the storm veered away from the island. Precautionary measures, such as the closure of the causeway and suspension of schools and ferry services, were implemented by authorities. In the Bahamas, where Melissa passed through on Wednesday night, storm warnings were lifted, but the “all clear” had not been issued yet. Officials anticipated making a decision by Saturday regarding the safety of evacuees returning to their homes on affected islands.