Hurricane Melissa has caused catastrophic damage across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, resulting in dozens of fatalities and extensive destruction. The storm made landfall in Jamaica on October 3, 2023, as a powerful Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph). The impact has left a trail of devastation, with many communities grappling with flooded homes and disrupted infrastructure.
In Jamaica, the storm has severely affected the municipality of Santa Cruz in St. Elizabeth parish, where landslides have blocked major roads, rendering many areas inaccessible. Residents have been working to clear their homes of water, desperately trying to salvage their belongings. Jennifer Small, a local resident, expressed her shock, stating, “I never see anything like this before in all my years living here.”
The storm’s impact was felt throughout the region. In Haiti, flooding triggered by Melissa has claimed at least 25 lives in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve, according to Mayor Jean Bertrand Subrème. He reported that numerous homes collapsed when the La Digue River overflowed its banks. Efforts to evacuate residents were hampered by the severe flooding, with only one official from the Civil Protection Agency present in the area.
Cuba has also faced significant challenges as the hurricane moved through. Reports indicated widespread damage, particularly in the southwestern and northwestern regions of the country. Authorities stated that approximately 735,000 people remained in shelters in eastern Cuba, following the storm’s passage. “That was hell. All night long, it was terrible,” said Reinaldo Charon, a resident of Santiago de Cuba. The storm resulted in widespread power outages, with many areas left without electricity.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left more than 25,000 Jamaicans seeking refuge in shelters, as officials report that 77% of the island was without power. Richard Thompson, acting director general of Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, noted that communication outages were complicating damage assessments. “It’s not going to be an easy road, Jamaica,” said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council. Tragically, one fatality was confirmed when a tree fell on an infant in the west.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced plans to survey the worst-hit areas by air, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage and coordinate recovery efforts. The government aims to reopen airports as early as October 5, 2023, to facilitate the swift distribution of relief supplies. The United States has also pledged support, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming the deployment of rescue and response teams to assist Jamaica, Haiti, and other affected nations.
Cuba’s Granma province experienced extreme flooding, particularly in the municipal capital of Jiguani, where over 15 inches (40 centimeters) of rain were reported. Governor Yanetsy Terry Gutierrez acknowledged the storm’s potential to exacerbate Cuba’s ongoing economic crisis, which has already led to fuel and food shortages. President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation, emphasizing the severity of the situation and urging citizens not to underestimate the power of Hurricane Melissa, which he described as the strongest to impact the country.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Melissa had weakened to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph) and was moving northeast at 14 mph (22 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported the hurricane was located about 150 miles (245 kilometers) south of the central Bahamas. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, noted that the storm’s influence was expanding, with tropical storm-force winds reaching nearly 200 miles (322 kilometers) from its center.
The future remains uncertain for many in the affected regions as they begin to assess the damage and start the recovery process. The human toll and the financial implications of Hurricane Melissa will likely resonate for months to come.
