Devastation in the Caribbean: Hurricane Melissa's Impact Across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba

As people across the northern Caribbean struggled to recover from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, the full extent of the devastation became clear. In Jamaica, where the storm made landfall as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, over 25,000 people were forced into shelters, with 77% of the island without power. The Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, described the community of Black River as "ground zero," with up to 90% of roofs destroyed. In Haiti, at least 25 people were reported killed and 18 others missing, mostly in the country's southern region. Meanwhile, in Cuba, officials began to clear blocked roads and highways, with the military evacuating over 735,000 people and no reported fatalities.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 25,000 people were forced into shelters in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa.
• Up to 90% of roofs in the Black River community of Jamaica were destroyed, with the Prime Minister describing it as "ground zero".
• In Haiti, at least 25 people were reported killed and 18 others missing, mostly in the country's southern region.
• Hurricane Melissa damaged over 160 homes and destroyed 80 others in Haiti's southern region.
• Officials in Cuba evacuated over 735,000 people, with no reported fatalities.
• Many communities in Cuba were still without electricity, internet, and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.
• The storm's rains were beneficial for the reservoirs and eased a severe drought in eastern Cuba, but also caused significant damage to banana, cassava, and coffee plantations.

Statistics:

• 25,000+ people forced into shelters in Jamaica
• 77% of Jamaica without power
• 90% of roofs in Black River, Jamaica, destroyed
• At least 25 dead and 18 missing in Haiti
• 25,000+ refugees in Haiti
• 735,000+ people evacuated in Cuba
• 160+ homes damaged in Haiti's southern region
• 80+ homes destroyed in Haiti's southern region
• 152 disabled people in Haiti's southern region require emergency food assistance
• 11,600+ people remained sheltered in Haiti due to the storm

Sources:

• New Delhi Times, no date
• Associated Press, no date, author Pierre Luxama
• New Delhi Times, no date, author HT Digital Content Services