Hurricane leaves trail of destruction across Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa has caused 32 fatalities and significant damage across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. The storm, which was initially a Category 5 and has since been downgraded to a Category 1, sustained peak winds of 298 km/h (185 mph). Melissa is currently moving through the Bahamas and is expected to make landfall in Bermuda.

Storm Overview

Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, resulting in at least 32 reported deaths. The storm was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 1. At its peak, Melissa sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph), exceeding the peak intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005 and caused 1,392 fatalities. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported sustained winds of 165 km/h (102 mph) at 09:00 GMT on Thursday. The NHC issued warnings for possible coastal flooding as the storm accelerated northeastward.

Regional Impact

Melissa's winds have caused damage to homes and buildings, uprooted trees, and left tens of thousands without power across the wider Caribbean.

Hurricane warnings for the central and southern islands, along with the Turks and Caicos, have been lifted. Leon Lundy, the Minister of State for Disaster Risk Management, advised residents to remain vigilant. Approximately 1,500 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in an operation described by officials as one of the largest in Bahamian history. While some parts of the archipelago experienced flooding, the Ministry of Tourism stated that most of the country, including Nassau, Freeport, Eleuthera, and the Abacos, remained largely unaffected and open to visitors.

Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, was significantly affected. Residents were observed using machetes to clear debris from the streets. President Miguel Díaz-Canel reported that the hurricane had caused "considerable damage" but did not provide a casualty figure for the country.

The southwestern parish of St Elizabeth experienced the most severe impact. Towns such as Black River were cut off due to knee-deep mud and washed-out bridges. On the road west of the capital Kingston, observations indicated minimal damage, including some torn structures and trees across roads and gardens.

Current Status

Hurricane Melissa gathered speed as it swept through the Bahamas on Thursday and is expected to make landfall in Bermuda later.