Hurricane Melissa Claims at Least 49 Lives Across the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa, marking one of the most potent storms in over a century, has tragically resulted in at least 49 fatalities across the Caribbean. The devastating storm swept through Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba, according to official reports and international agencies.

Haiti bore the brunt of Melissa's wrath, with 40 confirmed deaths and 10 individuals reported missing. Meanwhile, Jamaica experienced its deadliest storm in 174 years, with the death toll reaching eight. Additionally, the Dominican Republic reported one fatality and a missing person, as chronicled by El País using information from the BBC and citing the Associated Press.

Jamaica's Minister of Community Development and Disaster Response, Desmond McKenzie, announced on Wednesday that at least four individuals—three men and one woman—perished in Black River, Saint Elizabeth. The region suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, on Tuesday, as reported by Telemundo.

Similarly, Catholic Church officials confirmed on Wednesday the death of one person in El Cobre, situated in Santiago de Cuba, during Melissa's destructive path.

Haiti's Infrastructure in Peril

The United States' National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a grave warning for Haiti, citing extreme risks due to the nation's fragile infrastructure and environmental vulnerability, which could lead to "extensive damage and isolation of communities."

The NHC highlighted that Melissa has triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides across much of the country, where local authorities lack the resources for effective evacuation or aid for the affected populations.

Massive Power Outages in Jamaica

In Jamaica, the hurricane's 185 mph (295 km/h) winds have left significant areas without electricity, notably around Montego Bay. The hurricane's eye passing over the island resulted in landslides, structural damage, total communication blackouts, and the destruction of coastal and agricultural infrastructure.

Severe Flooding and Power Loss in Cuba

Eastern Cuba, where the hurricane made landfall early Wednesday morning, has reported severe flooding, complete power outages, and thousands of evacuations. The damage in Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Granma is substantial, with entire neighborhoods submerged and landslides in mountainous regions.

The National Defense Council has maintained a state of alert, while meteorologists warn that heavy rains will persist throughout the day, potentially exceeding 25 inches in high-altitude areas.

Experts caution that the storm will continue to produce dangerous storm surges and torrential rains as it moves across the western Atlantic.

With its tragic impact and widespread destruction, Melissa is now counted among the deadliest hurricanes in the Caribbean in recent decades, serving as a grim reminder of the region's vulnerability to climate change and the pressing need for resilient infrastructure.