Havana:  Hurricane Melissa has left widespread destruction across the Caribbean, hitting Jamaica and Cuba within hours and causing severe flooding, power cuts, and loss of life.

The storm, which made landfall in Jamaica with winds reaching nearly 185 miles per hour, is being described as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the island. Entire communities in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth were flooded, and roads, hospitals, and homes were badly damaged. More than half a million people lost electricity, and communication failures have slowed rescue work.

At least eight people have died in Jamaica, and officials fear the number could rise as rescue teams reach isolated areas. The government has declared a national emergency, and workers are trying to clear debris and restore essential services.

After crossing Jamaica, Melissa moved into eastern Cuba near Guama, about 40 kilometers west of Santiago de Cuba, with winds around 120 miles per hour. Cuban officials evacuated more than 700,000 people before the storm hit. Low-lying areas were flooded, and many towns are still without power. Reports say more than 140,000 people have been affected and hundreds of communities remain cut off.

The storm also brought heavy rain to Haiti, causing floods that took at least 25 lives. Aid groups are sending emergency supplies to the worst-affected areas.

Weather experts say Melissa’s rapid strengthening was fueled by unusually warm ocean temperatures, about two to three degrees above normal, which gave the storm huge energy. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the number and strength of hurricanes in the region.

Early damage estimates suggest Jamaica could face losses of over 22 billion dollars, and recovery may take years.

As Melissa moves northeast toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, authorities are keeping a close watch. Caribbean leaders are urging the world to take stronger climate action and provide financial help, saying small island nations are suffering most from a crisis they did little to create.

The full effects of Hurricane Melissa are still being assessed, but the Caribbean is now facing the long road to recovery after one of its most powerful and damaging storms in recent history.