Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction
Hurricane Melissa has torn through the Caribbean, leaving behind a devastating path of destruction and heartbreak. The powerful storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in over a century, has claimed at least 30 lives so far — and that number may still rise as rescue operations continue.
Melissa began as a tropical storm over the weekend but rapidly intensified into a Category 5 monster with sustained winds reaching 185 miles per hour. By Tuesday, it slammed into Jamaica, marking the most powerful hurricane ever recorded to strike the island. Homes were ripped apart, trees were uprooted, and almost the entire nation was plunged into darkness as power lines collapsed under the storm’s fury.
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In the town of Black River, which officials described as “ground zero,” the destruction was nearly total. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area, estimating that up to 90% of roofs in the southwest coastal community had been destroyed. “The people are still coming to grips with the destruction,” Holness said, urging citizens to remain calm and avoid price gouging as emergency supplies were distributed. Over 25,000 Jamaicans are now sheltering in emergency centers, and about 77% of the country remains without power.
The human toll is heartbreaking. Residents like Sylvester Guthrie from St. Elizabeth Parish stood among the ruins of their homes, holding onto whatever they could salvage. “I don’t have a house now,” he said quietly. “I have land in another location that I can build back, but I’m going to need help.”
Haiti also suffered immensely as Melissa’s torrential rains caused rivers to burst their banks, sweeping through vulnerable communities. At least 25 people have been reported dead and 18 are missing. In Petit-Go'sve, one man recounted the unimaginable — losing all four of his young children when floodwaters engulfed his home. “I had a 1-month-old baby and three others, all gone,” he said, his voice breaking. Thousands in Haiti remain in shelters as officials warn that many families urgently need food and medical supplies.
Cuba, too, faced heavy damage as Melissa crossed into its eastern provinces as a Category 3 hurricane. More than 735,000 people had been evacuated ahead of time — a decision that likely saved countless lives. Streets in Santiago de Cuba are now being cleared with the help of the military, while many homes and farms lie in ruins. Power lines, roads, and communications have been severely disrupted, though the rain has at least helped replenish drought-stricken reservoirs.
By Thursday morning, Melissa had weakened to a Category 2 storm as it moved north toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, still packing winds near 100 miles per hour. Recovery efforts are underway across the Caribbean, but the journey ahead will be long and painful. From Jamaica’s shattered coastline to Haiti’s flooded towns and Cuba’s battered countryside, the Caribbean is left to rebuild — one community, one home, and one life at a time.
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