Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 8:22 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: After tearing through Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, Hurricane Melissa has weakened to a Category 2 storm while moving across eastern Cuba early Wednesday.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm is producing “damaging winds, flooding rains, and dangerous storm surge” as it tracks north-northeast at 14 mph. As of 8 a.m. ET, Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and was located about 45 miles northwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. Forecasters expect the storm to soon emerge into the southwestern Atlantic.
Jamaica awoke Wednesday to what Prime Minister Andrew Holness described as “significant damage” across the island, following Melissa’s historic landfall near New Hope with winds of up to 185 mph. The storm flattened homes, uprooted trees, and left hundreds of thousands without power. Holness formally declared Jamaica a disaster area, noting widespread flooding, blocked roads, and structural devastation. Authorities warned that the remnants of Melissa could bring an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain, worsening the risk of flash floods and landslides.
In Cuba, the storm made a second landfall early Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane before weakening slightly. Torrential rainfall and overflowing rivers have isolated entire communities, with the Cuban government reporting that 241 towns—home to more than 140,000 people—are cut off due to flooding and landslides. Roads in areas such as Contramaestre, Guaninao, and Ruta Marítima remain impassable, and emergency crews are struggling to reach those stranded.
At least 8 deaths have been linked to Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean, Yahoo reports.
Jamaican officials confirmed the death of an infant struck by a falling tree, bringing the country’s death toll to four. Three fatalities were reported in Haiti over the weekend, and one in the Dominican Republic. The storm has also left behind severe destruction in Haiti, where flooding and mudslides have displaced hundreds of families.
The United States has announced the deployment of disaster response teams to assist Caribbean nations battered by the storm. “These teams are working with affected countries and local communities to determine what assistance is needed and with interagency, international, and U.S. military partners to coordinate emergency response efforts,” the State Department said in a message posted on X.
President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, stated that the U.S. stands ready to support Jamaica’s recovery, emphasizing that “on a humanitarian basis, we have to.” With more than 500,000 Jamaicans still without electricity and rescue operations underway in Cuba, Hurricane Melissa continues to leave a trail of destruction and hardship across the Caribbean.
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The post International News: Hurricane Melissa leaves widespread destruction in Jamaica, pounds eastern Cuba with floods and landslides appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 8:22 am CST. By Zoila Palma: After tearing through Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, Hurricane Melissa has
The post International News: Hurricane Melissa leaves widespread destruction in Jamaica, pounds eastern Cuba with floods and landslides appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
