Hurricane Melissa is currently making its way through the Bahamas, unleashing heavy rain and damaging winds on several islands. In the meantime, Jamaica is initiating recovery and restoration efforts following the storm's devastating impact. Officials from severely affected areas are describing the damage as exceeding catastrophic levels. Here’s the latest update on the situation.
As per the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Melissa is classified as a Category 1 hurricane and is situated just off the coast of Long Island in the Bahamas. The storm is expected to bring continued winds, flooding rain, and dangerous storm surge well into early tomorrow morning.
In Jamaica, authorities have reported the recovery of four bodies in St. Elizabeth Parish, as confirmed by a government source to CNN. Previously, it was reported that three individuals lost their lives while preparing for the storm. The situation is dire in Haiti, where at least 23 fatalities have been reported due to Hurricane Melissa, including ten children, according to the country’s Civil Protection Agency. Additionally, one person has died in the Dominican Republic.
Today, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness conducted an aerial survey of the damage in St. Elizabeth Parish. Helicopter images reveal widespread destruction, including damaged homes, roofs torn off, and debris strewn across entire towns. Richard Solomon, the mayor of Black River, remarked, “The conditions here are devastating; catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing.”
A CNN crew noted that residents and military personnel were struggling to push over a dozen ambulances through storm debris in Santa Cruz, as they attempted to reach a coastal area in western Jamaica. The roads in downtown Santa Cruz are covered in mud and silt, making it difficult for emergency services to navigate. Several ambulances have become stuck in the mud, hampering recovery efforts.
The Jamaica Public Service, an energy utility company, is currently conducting a comprehensive damage assessment of the power grid. Approximately 77% of the country is without electricity, as reported by a government spokesperson. Restoration efforts are underway, but the extent of the damage poses significant challenges.
The US State Department has announced the deployment of a “regional disaster response team” and additional resources across Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Melissa. A task force has also been established to oversee the US response. Various organizations and authorities are mobilizing aid, while Jamaica’s three international airports are set to reopen between today and Thursday for relief and commercial flights.
In Cuba, Hurricane Melissa caused significant material damage in Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-most populated province. Reports indicate partial and total collapses of homes, along with damage to crops such as coffee beans and yuca. Communication services were also disrupted. Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party in the eastern province, stated that flooding remains a major concern as rivers overflow and reservoirs are nearing full capacity.
Communities in western Jamaica that were hit hard by Hurricane Melissa remain isolated due to extensive damage. Jamaican Minister of Information Dana Morris Dixon emphasized the urgent need for heavy equipment and crews to reach marooned communities. She highlighted the necessity of food aid to assist residents who are cut off from essential supplies.
Norman Manley International Airport, the main airport in Kingston, is expected to reopen this afternoon, allowing humanitarian planes carrying aid to land. Officials have warned that the situation in Jamaica is dire, with conditions being described as “devastating.” Black River Mayor Solomon remarked that the local hospital is entirely devastated, and emergency operations are severely hindered by flooding.
Despite the destruction, stories of resilience are emerging from Jamaica. Keitho Nembhard, a hotelier at the Grand Palladium Hotel in Lucea, noted the significant devastation but also highlighted the community's spirit. “What I’m seeing currently is a resilient set of people; many Jamaicans are out, assisting each other to rebuild the day after the storm,” he said. “We are already rebuilding and doing our best to reconnect with friends and family.”
As the recovery continues, the focus remains on providing aid and support to those affected by Hurricane Melissa. With the extent of the damage still being assessed, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and challenging for many communities across the Caribbean.
