Hurricane Melissa Brings Devastation to Eastern Cuba and the Caribbean

Strategic Insights -

Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 storm in eastern Cuba, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm has since been downgraded to Category 2, but its impact is still being felt in the Caribbean. Hundreds of thousands of people remain in shelters after being evacuated from their homes, and the full extent of the damage is not yet known. The storm has already been blamed for seven deaths in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 735,000 people remain in shelters in eastern Cuba after being evacuated from their homes due to Hurricane Melissa.
  • The storm has caused widespread flooding, with rivers overflowing and homes and workplaces being inundated.
  • The province of Granma has been particularly hard hit, with several areas underwater and many roads blocked.
  • UNICEF has sent aid to Cuba, including 1,900 sheets of roofing material, waterproof blankets, and recreation kits for 20,000 children.
  • The town of Santa Cruz in Jamaica was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, with a massive landslide triggered by flooding blocking the town's main roads.
  • Fierce winds ripped off part of the roof at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School, which was designated a public shelter.
  • The full extent of the damage in Cuba and Jamaica is not yet known, but it is expected to be extensive.
  • The hurricane could worsen Cuba's severe economic crisis, which already has led to prolonged power blackouts, as well as fuel and food shortages.
  • Jamaican officials report complications in assessing the damage due to a total communication blackout in the southwestern and northwestern regions.
  • The U.S. government has deployed a disaster response team and search and rescue personnel to the region.

Statistics:

  • The storm surge from Hurricane Melissa is expected to be up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) in the eastern region of Cuba.
  • The storm is expected to drop up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain in parts of eastern Cuba.
  • Over 15 inches (40 centimeters) of rain was reported in the Jiguaní settlement of Charco Redondo.
  • More than 1.9 million sheets of roofing material were sent by UNICEF to Cuba.
  • Over 20,000 recreation kits for children and 10,000 school supplies for children under five were also sent to Cuba by UNICEF.
  • A total of 75 patients were evacuated from a hospital in Jamaica due to the storm.
  • Over 500,000 customers were without power late Tuesday in Jamaica.
  • The storm damaged four hospitals in Jamaica and left one without power.

Sources:

  • AP (2025) - "Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in eastern Cuba, brings widespread destruction and displacement"
  • UNICEF (2025) - "UNICEF sends aid to Cuba, including 1,900 sheets of roofing material, waterproof blankets, and recreation kits for 20,000 children"
  • The Associated Press (2025) - "Jamaica reports extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa, communication blackout in some areas"
  • State Department (2025) - "U.S. government deploying disaster response team and search and rescue personnel to the Caribbean"
  • The Associated Press (2025) - "Cuba's President warns of extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa"