This post summarizes the unfolding humanitarian and infrastructural crisis caused by Hurricane Melissa as it tore across the Caribbean. Drawing on the latest reports, I outline the immediate impacts in Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba.
I assess emergency response actions and highlight the principal needs and likely short-term outlook as Melissa moves toward the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Overview: scale and trajectory of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa carved a devastating path through the Caribbean, reaching catastrophic intensity in some areas before weakening to a Category 2 system as it heads northeast.
The most urgent consequences so far are widespread flooding, loss of life, mass displacement and extensive damage to essential services.
Below I break down the main impacts and what rescue and recovery operations will need to prioritize in the coming days.
Immediate human toll and local impacts
Haiti: At least 25 people have died after the La Digue River overflowed in Petit-Goâve, sweeping away homes and burying residents under rubble.
The situation is compounded by dangerous flooding and disrupted communications, making search-and-rescue efforts extremely hazardous.
Jamaica: The storm struck Jamaica as a reported catastrophic Category 5 event with sustained winds up to 185 mph, forcing more than 25,000 people into shelters.
Power outages affected roughly 77% of the island. Tragically, an infant was killed when a tree fell onto a home; significant damage is reported across Clarendon and St. Elizabeth parishes.
Four hospitals were damaged, one losing power entirely and requiring the evacuation of 75 patients.
Cuba: Authorities report extensive flooding and structural collapse, especially in the southwest and northwest regions.
An estimated 735,000 people were moved into shelters as towns such as Jiguanà in Granma province were submerged after receiving over 15 inches of rain.
Cuban President Miguel DÃaz-Canel warned the storm — described by officials as the strongest to hit Cuba — could further strain the country’s already fragile economy.
Key impacts and immediate needs
Rescue operations are underway but complicated by power loss, impassable roads, and communications blackouts.
Priorities in the immediate term are life-saving search and rescue, restoring power to critical health facilities, and delivering food, water, shelter and medical care to displaced populations.
A concise list of acute needs and impacts helps focus response planning:
- Search and rescue: Access to collapsed structures and river-affected zones in Haiti and Cuba.
- Medical support: Backup power and supplies for damaged hospitals and evacuated patients.
- Shelter and basic services: Safe shelter, clean water, sanitation and food for tens of thousands.
- Communications: Rapid restoration of connectivity to coordinate relief and assess unmet needs.
Regional response and outlook
U.S. authorities have dispatched disaster response teams and authorized the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Jamaica.
Regional governments are conducting damage assessments. Rescue teams are working under difficult conditions.
As Melissa moves northeast toward the Bahamas and Bermuda as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds near 100 mph, emergency managers must prepare for additional coastal flooding and dangerous surf.
Gusty winds are also expected. Even reduced storms carry lethal secondary risks such as riverine flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse.
These risks persist long after peak winds subside.
Coordinated logistics and rapid power restoration for hospitals are critical. Prioritizing the hardest-hit communities for food, water, and medical supplies will determine how many lives can be saved in the next 72 hours.
Here is the source article for this story: Hurricane Melissa leaves 25 dead in Haiti, causes widespread damage in Jamaica and Cuba