Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba Assess Damage After Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across the northern Caribbean, causing dozens of deaths in Haiti (25), Jamaica (8), and the Dominican Republic (1). The Category 5 storm, later downgraded to Category 1, brought winds up to 155 km/h, flooding, and infrastructure destruction. In Haiti, around 12,000 people remained in shelters, with severe losses in Petit-Goave. Over 735,000 Cubans evacuated slowly returned home. Jamaica’s western parishes faced flooded hospitals, downed power lines, and destroyed homes, with recovery efforts underway. Emergency relief flights resumed, and US and UK offered support. Residents pleaded for aid amid widespread devastation.