Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction in the Caribbean

Thu Oct 30 2025 18:05:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa has claimed dozens of lives while wreaking havoc across Jamaica and Haiti, raising urgent calls for humanitarian assistance.

Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm, has caused catastrophic flooding and destruction across Jamaica and Haiti, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 people. The storm's aftermath reveals widespread devastation as communities are left without power and infrastructure is destroyed. With the Caribbean nations affected, urgent humanitarian assistance is being facilitated as the storm continues its path northward.

Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, decimating homes and infrastructure, flooding neighborhoods and leaving dozens dead.

The impact in Jamaica was clearer on Wednesday, after the island nation was hit squarely by the category five storm - one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the region. At least five people have been confirmed dead there.

At least another 20 died during flooding in Haiti as Melissa, now a category two storm, tore through the region.

In Jamaica, people remain stranded on roofs and without power. Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted the total devastation across the island-nation.

He added that 80-90% of roofs were destroyed, along with hospitals, libraries, police stations, port houses, and other urban infrastructure.

King Charles, who is the head of state in Jamaica, expressed his deep concern and profound sadness over the damage caused by Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

From Jamaica, where the storm also caused mudslides, Melissa moved north to Cuba as a category three storm, bringing 115 mph winds and heavy rain, battering the southeast of the island.

In Haiti, at least 20 people - including 10 children - died in river floods, local authorities reported. The island was struck by catastrophic flash flooding and landslides, which forced 3,000 people into shelters.

The US is dispatching a disaster response team to Jamaica, with formal requests for assistance from Haiti and The Bahamas being noted by officials. Hurricane Melissa is expected to impact the central Bahamas before continuing its journey toward Bermuda.