Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean Islands, Leaving Widespread Destruction and Loss of Life

The Category 5 hurricane, which tore through Jamaica and Haiti, has left thousands without power, homes destroyed, and at least 20 people dead, including children. The storm brought torrential rain, howling winds, and devastating flooding, with entire buildings collapsing and villages severely damaged. In Jamaica, the hardest-hit parish of St. Elizabeth was described as a "complete disaster" by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, with reports of villages where every single house was without a roof.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 20 people, including children, died in a Haitian community where swollen rivers spilled into homes.
• In Jamaica, five bodies were found in St. Elizabeth Parish, where the storm struck as a Category 5 hurricane.
• The storm left a "complete disaster" in St. Elizabeth Parish, with entire buildings collapsing and villages severely damaged.
• Approximately 80% of Jamaica was without electricity on Wednesday morning.
• About 25,000 Jamaicans were staying in shelters, with many may not be able to return to homes that had been destroyed or damaged.
• The Cuban municipality of Sagua de Tánamo, home to about 45,000 people, was partly flooded after the Sagua de Tánamo River overflowed.
• The U.S. State Department has deployed disaster-response teams to Caribbean countries impacted by Melissa.

Statistics:

• At least 20 people, including children, died in a Haitian community.
• Five bodies were found in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica.
• Approximately 25,000 Jamaicans were staying in shelters.
• About 80% of Jamaica was without electricity on Wednesday morning.
• The Cuban municipality of Sagua de Tánamo received over 14 inches of rain.
• The U.S. State Department has deployed disaster-response teams to affected countries.

Sources:

• "Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean Islands, Leaving Widespread Destruction and Loss of Life" by Anushka Patil, Alan Yuhas, Claire Fahy, Ed Augustin, and Annie Correal (The New York Times)
• "At Least 20 People Killed as Hurricane Melissa Slams Haitian Community" by Ronald Louis (The New York Times)
• "Jamaica Receives Aid as Hurricane Melissa Devastates Islands" by Desmond McKenzie (The New York Times)
• Cuban municipalities, including Sagua de Tánamo, reported by Yamil Lage and Abbie Townsend (The New York Times)
• Photos by Abbie Townsend, Odelyn Joseph, Matias Delacroyx, Maria Alejandra Cardona, and Yamil Lage (The New York Times, Associated Press, and Getty Images)