Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Now Heading Toward Cuba
Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc across Jamaica, leaving widespread destruction and claiming more than 10 lives as it moves toward Cuba. The powerful storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 300 km/h, brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides to the island nation.
According to local reports, three people died in Jamaica and seven in Haiti due to the hurricane’s impact. Severe weather has disrupted communication networks across Jamaica, isolating several regions.
Declaring the country a disaster zone, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a national address:
“Melissa has been recorded as one of the most powerful hurricanes in our history. A Category 5 storm of this magnitude can destroy even the strongest infrastructure. Many hospitals and residential areas have been severely affected. Our immediate focus is on rescue and relief operations,” he stated.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the storm’s center is currently located about 50 miles northeast of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and roughly 160 miles southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. Melissa has now weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane as it advances toward Cuba and the Bahamas.
In anticipation of its landfall, over 600,000 residents from low-lying areas in Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo have begun evacuating to safer locations.
Key Highlights
Maximum Wind Speed: 300 km/h
Fatalities: 10+ (Jamaica – 3, Haiti – 7)
Jamaica: Declared a disaster zone
Evacuations: 600,000 people from Cuba’s coastal areas
Next Targets: Cuba and the Bahamas
Meteorologists warn that Hurricane Melissa could trigger a major humanitarian crisis across the Caribbean if it continues along its current path.
