Devastation in the Caribbean: Hurricane Melissa Wreaks Havoc on Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba

Jamaican authorities confirmed at least 19 deaths, with 30 more in Haiti, as the country still reeled from the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which brought winds of 185 miles per hour and caused widespread destruction. The storm left entire communities flattened, with seaside towns reduced to rubble, and critical infrastructure severely damaged. In Jamaica, the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth, where the hurricane made landfall, was dubbed ground zero, with the town of Black River, once a beloved spot for crocodile safaris and calm holidays, now unrecognizable.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 49 people died in Jamaica and Haiti due to Hurricane Melissa, with 20 missing and 20 injured in Haiti.
• The storm caused widespread destruction in Jamaica, with over 170 communities moderately or severely affected by flooding or landslides.
• St. Elizabeth Parish, where the hurricane made landfall, was the hardest hit area, with the town of Black River, the parish capital, severely damaged.
• The town of Black River, once a key port where enslaved people packed sugar and rum onto ships, was reduced to rubble, with boulders littered along the coastline and the hospital and fire station severely damaged.
• More than 400,000 Jamaicans were still without power on Thursday, while 13,000 people were in shelters, with the number declining as many returned home.
• The Jamaican government, with aid from international partners, including the US, Britain, and France, is working to distribute over 200,000 aid packages to the hardest-hit regions.
• Cuba, where the hurricane caused widespread damage, particularly in the eastern region, is in urgent need of shelter, food, water, and health care, with about 2 million people affected.

Statistics:

• 49 official deaths confirmed in Jamaica and Haiti.
• 400,000 Jamaicans without power.
• 13,000 people in shelters.
• 20 people missing in Haiti.
• 20 people injured in Haiti.
• 2 million Cubans in urgent need of shelter, food, water, and health care.
• More than 200,000 aid packages to be distributed in the hardest-hit regions.

Sources:

• Jamaican authorities
• Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's minister leading the emergency response
• Emmanuell Pierre, director general of the country's Civil Protection Office
• Francisco Pichón, U.N.'s resident coordinator for Cuba
• Matthew Samuda, minister of water, environment and climate change, Jamaica
• Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
• Fernández de Cossio, Cuba's deputy minister of foreign affairs
• Reporting by Michael Crowley, Andre Paulte, Camille Williams, and Anushka Patil.