Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti, causing numerous fatalities and widespread devastation on Wednesday. The storm led to power outages, displacements, and damages to properties in affected areas.
In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish, Santa Cruz faced a major landslide, rendering main roads impassable and streets filled with mud. Residents struggled to salvage their belongings amidst flooded homes, while a high school serving as a shelter had its roof partially ripped off by the strong winds.
Reports from Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency indicated at least 25 confirmed deaths and 18 missing individuals, with significant damage in a southern coastal town where flooding resulted in the collapse of numerous homes. The mayor of Petit-Goave, Jean Bertrand Subreme, expressed distress over the situation, urging the government to assist in rescue operations.
Cuba also suffered significant impacts, with collapsed houses, blocked roads, and damaged buildings reported in the southwest and northwest regions. Approximately 735,000 people sought refuge in shelters as the storm wreaked havoc across the country.
Melissa, initially a Category 5 hurricane, weakened to a Category 2 as it crossed Cuba, with sustained winds of 150 km/h. The storm’s path was projected to move towards the central Bahamas, prompting evacuations in the archipelago’s southeast corner to mitigate potential risks.
Meanwhile, Canadian authorities advised against travel to various regions affected by the hurricane, including Jamaica, parts of Cuba, Haiti, and certain areas in the Bahamas and Bermuda. Canadians requiring emergency assistance were directed to contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre for support.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa left Jamaica in a state of emergency, with fatalities reported, widespread power outages, and communication challenges hindering assessment efforts. Efforts were underway to restore normalcy and provide relief supplies to affected communities.
The United States pledged assistance to Caribbean nations affected by the storm, with rescue and response teams being deployed to aid in recovery operations. The reinstatement of an economic embargo on Cuba by the U.S. administration added complexity to the situation, impacting ongoing relief efforts in the region.