Photo: YAMIL LAGE / AFP / Getty Images
Communities across the northern Caribbean are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which has claimed at least 45 lives, primarily in Haiti and Jamaica. The storm, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, also caused significant damage in Cuba. In Jamaica, authorities reported 19 fatalities, with the storm leaving many areas without power and communication. The country's Education Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, described the devastation as overwhelming and urged patience from residents as recovery efforts continue. Relief flights have begun landing, bringing essential supplies to affected regions.
In Haiti, the storm resulted in at least 25 deaths, with catastrophic flooding particularly affecting the southern region. The Haitian government is mobilizing resources for search and rescue operations and providing emergency relief to those in need. The Civil Protection Agency reported that among the deceased, 10 were children from Petit-Goâve, where a river burst its banks, causing widespread destruction.
Cuba, although heavily impacted, reported no fatalities due to proactive evacuations of over 735,000 people. However, the storm caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, power lines, and crops. The U.S. has offered humanitarian assistance to Cuba, despite ongoing political tensions.
As recovery efforts continue, international aid is pouring in, with countries like the United States and the United Kingdom pledging support. The U.S. has deployed Urban Search and Rescue teams to assist in Jamaica, while the UK has allocated emergency humanitarian funding for the Caribbean islands. Meanwhile, Bermuda braces for the storm's impact as Hurricane Melissa moves northeast, threatening more communities with its powerful winds and rain.