Hurricane Melissa slammed into Cuba early Wednesday (October 29) after leaving a trail of destruction across Jamaica, where it became the strongest storm ever recorded. Here’s a look at the widespread destruction across the Caribbean.
1 / 8Record-breaking storm hits Jamaica | Hurricane Melissa became the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica, making landfall near the southwestern town of New Hope on Tuesday (October 28) with sustained winds of up to 185 mph, Reuters reported, citing the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC). (Image: AP)
2 / 8Cuba braces for heavy damage | The storm slammed into eastern Cuba with winds of 120 mph (195 kph), prompting large-scale evacuations. Cuban authorities said around 735,000 people were moved from their homes as President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned citizens to prepare for “significant damage.” (Image: AP)
3 / 8Jamaica reels from severe flooding and power outages | In southwestern Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth was left “underwater,” leaving more than 500,000 residents without power. Local officials reported heavy damage to homes, hospitals, and key infrastructure. (Image: AP)
4 / 8Prime Minister Holness warns of possible fatalities | Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said there were no confirmed deaths at the time but noted that “some loss of life” was expected due to the scale of destruction. (Image: AP)
5 / 8Melissa ranks among the strongest Caribbean hurricanes | Meteorologists at AccuWeather said Melissa is now the third most intense hurricane ever observed in the Caribbean—after Wilma (2005) and Gilbert (1988), the last major storm to strike Jamaica. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 8Local casualties and disruptions reported | Local media reported at least three deaths in Jamaica during storm preparations. A disaster coordinator also suffered a stroke as the storm made landfall, while many areas remained isolated late Tuesday. (Image: AP)
7 / 8Bahamas and Hispaniola brace for impact | As Melissa moves northeast, the Bahamas government has ordered evacuations in southern islands. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic and Haiti have already experienced days of torrential rain, with four reported deaths, Reuters reported. (Image: AP)
8 / 8Climate change intensifying hurricanes | Scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures are fueling stronger and faster-forming hurricanes. Caribbean leaders have renewed calls for wealthy nations to provide aid or debt relief to vulnerable island countries facing increasing climate threats. (Image: AP)
