Hurricane Melissa Kills Dozens and Destroys Homes Across Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba

Hurricane Melissa has devastated parts of the Caribbean, killing dozens and destroying homes across Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba as the storm’s intensity and impacts shifted day by day.

“Communities are preparing for an approaching storm by boarding up homes, evacuating residents, and stockpiling essential supplies to ensure safety and readiness”

11Alive

Local and international outlets report widely varying death tolls: WRAL puts Haiti’s deaths at at least 40, FOX Weather tallies at least 32 deaths across the region, while Manchester Evening News cites at least 26 deaths.

11Alive

Multiple sources confirm Melissa reached Category 5 strength with 185 mph (295 km/h) winds when striking Jamaica before weakening and moving on to Cuba.

In Cuba, flooding and infrastructure damage compounded pre-existing crises.

Forecast centers and news outlets warned of life-threatening flash floods, landslides, and storm surge across the Bahamas and toward Bermuda as the system tracked northeast.

Haiti suffered the deadliest blow, with catastrophic flooding centered in Petit‑Goâve after the La Digue River overflowed.

The flooding caused homes to collapse and trapped residents.

13newsnow

Reports vary on the death toll: africanews and The Guardian cite at least 25 deaths in Petit‑Goâve alone.

Telangana Today reports at least 20 deaths with 10 missing.

CNN and WRAL cite higher national tolls of 28 and 40, respectively.

Rescue efforts were hampered by heavy waters and limited official presence.

Communication problems compounded the crisis in isolated coastal communities.

Jamaica was severely affected when Melissa made historic Category 5 landfall.

“A rapidly intensifying Category 5 hurricane, potentially the strongest since 1851, is expected to strike Jamaica within 24 hours, causing severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges up to 4 meters”

1News

The storm tore roofs from homes, flooded towns, collapsed infrastructure, and knocked out power for roughly three-quarters of the island.

Multiple outlets report around 25,000 people in shelters and 77% of the population without electricity.

Hospitals suffered severe damage, and hard-hit communities like Black River faced complicated rescue operations.

Reports on fatalities are conflicting; some sources noted no confirmed deaths at certain points, while others documented at least one infant’s death and additional casualties.

Unique local details, such as displaced crocodiles and stranded tourists, illustrate how the storm’s impacts extended beyond just wind and rain.

Cuba faced extensive flooding, roof damage, and landslides as Melissa made landfall in the east after weakening over Jamaica.

Roughly three‑quarters of a million people were moved into shelters or evacuated due to the storm.

6abc Philadelphia

Reports vary on the storm category at Cuban landfall and the scale of evacuations.

Some sources cite a Category 3 landfall with 120–125 mph winds and about 735,000 people in shelters.

Other reports mention broader figures such as over 600,000 evacuations.

Relief operations, supported by UNICEF and international partners, continue in the affected areas.

Leaders warn of a difficult recovery amid shortages of food, fuel, and power.

Scientists and policymakers are linking Melissa’s severity to human-driven climate change.

“Emergency services and international aid are responding to the disaster as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds and 13-foot storm surges, approaches Cuba”

6abc Philadelphia

Emergency responses are scaling up across the region as the storm pushes toward the Bahamas and Bermuda with dangerous storm surge.

6abc Philadelphia

NZ Herald and Inside Climate News explicitly connect the storm’s intensity to warming oceans.

West Asian and African outlets amplify calls for climate justice and reparations.

Western mainstream and local Western reporting emphasize concrete aid and warnings.

The UK has provided emergency funding and deployed the Royal Navy.

U.S. rescue teams are also involved in the response efforts.

NOAA has issued storm-surge alerts of 9 to 13 feet on Jamaica’s south coast.

Surge up to 7 feet is expected in the southeastern Bahamas as authorities race to reopen airports and deliver relief.