Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2025. 8:56 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: The northern Caribbean is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has left at least 28 people dead across Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Haiti has reported the majority of the fatalities, with officials confirming that 23 people were killed and 13 remain missing, CBS reports.
On Thursday, the powerful storm moved away from the Bahamas toward Bermuda, where it is expected to pass later in the day, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
In Jamaica, residents have begun clearing debris and reopening blocked roads after Melissa’s direct hit on the island’s southeast.
The hum of chainsaws and heavy machinery echoed through communities where homes were flattened and power lines torn down.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said up to 90% of roofs in the coastal town of Black River were destroyed, calling it “ground zero.” At least four people were confirmed dead, while more than 25,000 others crowded into shelters as 77% of the island remained without electricity.
In neighboring Haiti, the destruction was even more severe. The Civil Protection Agency reported that Hurricane Melissa killed 20 people in Petit-Goâve alone, including ten children, and destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes. Flooding submerged entire neighborhoods, leaving thousands displaced.
Officials warned that more than 11,000 people remain in shelters, and many vulnerable residents, including 152 people with disabilities, are in urgent need of food and medical supplies.
Cuba, which was battered by Melissa after it crossed Jamaica, began massive cleanup efforts in its eastern provinces. Although no deaths were reported thanks to the evacuation of more than 735,000 residents, communities in Santiago, Holguín, and Guantánamo faced widespread damage.
Roads were blocked by landslides, homes lost their roofs, and large areas remained without power or communication. Despite the destruction, officials noted that the rainfall brought some relief to the country’s ongoing drought.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph, tying records for one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.
It weakened slightly before striking eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm. By Thursday morning,
Melissa had downgraded to Category 2 as it moved toward Bermuda, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to the Bahamas.
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The post International News: At Least 28 dead as Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2025. 8:56 am CST. By Zoila Palma: The northern Caribbean is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has left
The post International News: At Least 28 dead as Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
