Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, bringing winds of up to 185 mph (295 km/h) before affecting other Caribbean nations. The storm has resulted in a rising death toll in Jamaica and Haiti, while Cuba reported no fatalities despite widespread damage. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and international aid is being mobilized to assist the affected regions.
Impact in Jamaica
Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon reported that at least 19 people have died in Jamaica. Dixon also stated that entire communities appear marooned and areas, particularly in western regions, have been flattened. Electricity remains out across most of the island. Residents are attempting to salvage belongings from floodwaters and mud. Parts of the country have been without water for several days, and food supplies are becoming scarce.
Aid supplies are beginning to arrive more rapidly, with the main airport in Kingston largely operational. However, smaller regional airports, some near areas requiring the most assistance, remain partly operational. Aid agencies and the military are transporting supplies from Kingston by road, although many roads are still impassable in certain sections. Satellite imagery indicates that nearly all buildings in some Jamaican villages have been destroyed. Trevor 'Zyanigh' Whyte, a resident of White House in Westmoreland parish, reported that communication with loved ones is difficult due to widespread disconnections and road blockages by fallen trees.
Conditions in Haiti
In Haiti, Hurricane Melissa has caused at least 30 fatalities, according to officials. Many victims in Petit-Goave died when a river overflowed. A full assessment of the damage is ongoing, with authorities still unable to access certain areas. Gregoire Goodstein, interim UN co-ordinator for Haiti, stated that approximately 15,000 people are currently housed in over 120 shelters.
Situation in Cuba
Francisco Pichon, the UN's resident co-ordinator for Cuba, reported that over 3 million people were exposed to life-threatening conditions during the hurricane, with 735,000 individuals safely evacuated. Cuban authorities have not reported any fatalities so far, but almost 240 communities have been isolated due to flooding and landslides.
International Response
Governments, humanitarian organizations, and individuals globally are pledging support for the storm-affected nations.
- World Food Programme (WFP): Collaborating with partners to coordinate logistics, cash, and emergency supplies across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
- US State Department: Deploying a disaster response team to the region for search and rescue operations, and assisting in providing food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters.
- UK Government: Mobilizing an additional £5 million ($6 million) for humanitarian supplies, including shelter kits and solar-powered lanterns. This is in addition to £2.5 million ($3.36 million) previously announced for emergency humanitarian funding. The Foreign Office is also preparing flights to evacuate British nationals who cannot return via commercial flights.
Bermuda's Preparations
While Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti assess the damage, Bermuda braced for the hurricane's impact. The Bermuda Weather Service anticipated Melissa to be a Category 2 hurricane when it passed the British overseas territory on Thursday night. Government offices in Bermuda closed until Friday afternoon, and all schools were shut on Friday. A public alert from the government urged residents to remain off the roads until an official "All Clear" is issued, to allow work crews to assess and clear debris safely.