Hurricane Melissa Causes Widespread Destruction and Loss of Life Across the Caribbean

Thu Oct 30 2025 17:36:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic floods and destruction, resulting in dozens of deaths in Jamaica and Haiti. Governments are reacting swiftly as communities reel from the impact of this record-breaking storm.

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, with at least 25 reported deaths in Jamaica and Haiti. The storm, classified as a category five hurricane, has left significant infrastructure damage in its wake, leading to a national crisis in Jamaica as residents face destruction and power outages. The U.S. is mobilizing aid to support recovery efforts in the affected regions.

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, said in a statement that he is deeply concerned and profoundly saddened at the damage caused by Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

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

On Wednesday night, the storm was 105 miles (170km) from the central Bahamas and expected to reach the Bahamas region overnight. Hurricane Melissa was moving northeast with wind at 100 mph (155 km/h). A dangerous storm surge is expected there before it moves further north toward Bermuda.

A tropical storm warning is in place for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the speed of the slow-moving hurricane is expected to increase in the coming days.