The government of Bermuda has issued a stark warning as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island, expecting to make landfall around 01:00 local time (04:00 GMT). Residents are advised to brace for rapidly deteriorating conditions this afternoon. According to government updates, tropical storm-force winds will develop by evening, followed by hurricane-strength winds overnight.
Bermuda's Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, is convening an emergency meeting with various emergency agencies to address the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa. The government strongly urges residents to finalize all hurricane preparations, avoid travel, and remain indoors until further notice from authorities.
Reporting from Kingston, Jamaica, Brandon Drenon highlights a pressing concern: the final death toll from Hurricane Melissa remains uncertain. Dr. Alison Thompson, the founder of Third Wave Volunteers, emphasizes that a true account of the fatalities may take days to emerge. With a wealth of experience from 921 missions globally since 2001, she describes the devastation in Jamaica as one of the worst natural disasters she has encountered.
Dr. Thompson’s observations are underscored by the presence of a BBC team on the ground in Jamaica, providing firsthand insights into the aftermath of the storm.
In response to the crisis, the UK government is actively working to evacuate British nationals from hurricane-stricken Jamaica. While the exact number of chartered flights has not been disclosed, British citizens and their immediate families can board these flights, provided they possess valid travel documents. It is estimated that around 8,000 British nationals are currently in Jamaica, where widespread destruction has resulted in at least five confirmed fatalities.
The UK Foreign Office prioritizes vulnerable individuals, including children and those with medical needs, for seats on evacuation flights. Additionally, the UK government has mobilized £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid to support recovery efforts in the Caribbean region.
Gabriela Pomeroy reports on the plight of survivors like Kabien Watson, who operates a beauty business in St. Elizabeth. Watson described a traumatic experience when the roof of her home was torn off during the storm. Despite the flooding and lack of a roof, she chose to remain in her home rather than seek refuge in a public shelter, citing safety concerns for her children.
Watson’s situation highlights the challenges faced by many, as local government officials confirm that shelters, currently housing around 13,000 people, will remain open despite misinformation circulating on social media.
Local government minister Desmond McKenzie has indicated that the number of casualties in Jamaica is likely to rise. While the exact death toll is yet to be confirmed, he acknowledged that there have been fatalities and more are expected. The situation remains critical, with at least five confirmed deaths attributed to Hurricane Melissa.
As Jamaica's Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that several major hospitals have regained power, the majority of the island remains without electricity. He confirmed that Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston has resumed operations, facilitating both aid flights and commercial travel. However, officials report that 72% of the island's residents are still without power, and many schools remain closed due to a lack of water and electricity.
The Jamaican power company, JPS, is deploying hundreds of crews to restore power, stating that this effort will help identify the extent of the damage and the necessary rebuilding efforts.
Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, causing significant destruction in several nations. In Jamaica, at least five lives have been lost, and the prime minister has declared total devastation across the island. In Haiti, the storm has resulted in at least 20 deaths, including 10 children, primarily due to severe flooding. Meanwhile, Cuba's Santiago de Cuba has also reported considerable damage, although casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
In the Bahamas, around 1,500 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas, and authorities have lifted hurricane warnings as Melissa has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 1 storm while continuing to approach Bermuda.
According to the latest updates from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Melissa is currently located over the Atlantic, northeast of Cuba and the Bahamas. The storm is moving north-northeast at a speed of 24 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for Bermuda, stating that hurricane conditions are expected tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning this afternoon.
The feeling of urgency and emotional weight is palpable as our BBC team boards one of the first flights returning to Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa. An American Airlines official, herself a Jamaican, delivered a heartfelt message to passengers, acknowledging their anxiety and fears while emphasizing the resilience of the Jamaican people. Her words resonated deeply, eliciting applause from those present as they prepared to return to their homeland amidst recovery efforts.
