Hurricane Melissa caused significant devastation and loss of life in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti on Wednesday. The storm led to power outages, forced evacuations, and destruction of homes in various areas. In Jamaica, Santa Cruz in St. Elizabeth parish was heavily impacted, with landslides blocking roads and homes being flooded. A high school serving as a shelter also suffered roof damage.
Haiti reported at least 25 fatalities and 18 missing persons, mostly in a southern coastal town where flooding destroyed numerous homes. Officials in Cuba noted collapsed houses, blocked roads, and damaged infrastructure, especially in the southwest and northwest regions. Over 735,000 people sought refuge in shelters across Cuba.
Melissa, initially a Category 5 hurricane, weakened to a Category 2 as it crossed Cuba. The storm’s top sustained winds were at 150 km/h, moving northeast towards the central Bahamas. The Bahamas evacuated residents from the southeast region in anticipation of the hurricane’s impact.
The Canadian government issued travel advisories for regions affected by Melissa, urging avoidance of travel to Jamaica, specific areas in Cuba, Haiti, and non-essential travel to parts of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bermuda. Emergency assistance for Canadians affected by the hurricane is available through the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
Jamaica faced extensive damage with widespread power outages and communication disruptions. Recovery efforts were underway, with authorities assessing the situation and preparing relief supplies. In Cuba, residents began clearing debris and assessing damages to homes and infrastructure. The United States pledged support through rescue and response teams for the affected Caribbean countries.
The reinstatement of an economic embargo on Cuba and tourism bans by the U.S. administration in June added to the challenges faced by the region. The impact of Hurricane Melissa highlighted the need for coordinated international assistance and long-term recovery efforts.
