SANTIAGO DE CUBA: Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Caribbean, has left widespread devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming dozens of lives and displacing thousands of people. The storm, which reached Category 5 strength with winds of up to 185 miles per hour, made landfall in Jamaica before moving on to batter parts of Cuba and Haiti with torrential rain and flooding.

In Jamaica, where Melissa struck with full force, entire neighborhoods have been flattened and power has been cut off across much of the island. Emergency shelters are packed with displaced families, while rescue teams continue to search through debris in rural communities. Officials estimate that more than three-quarters of the country lost electricity during the storm, and early assessments suggest damages could exceed 22 billion dollars.

Haiti, though not directly hit by the hurricane’s eye, has suffered some of the worst losses from flooding and landslides triggered by relentless rain. The coastal town of Petit-Goâve was among the hardest hit, where rivers burst their banks, sweeping away homes and livestock. At least 30 people have been confirmed dead in Haiti, with many others missing. Thousands have been forced to leave their homes and take refuge in makeshift shelters.

In Cuba, strong winds and heavy rain forced the evacuation of more than 700,000 people. Though early reports suggest no major fatalities, the country faces extensive damage to roads, crops, and coastal infrastructure. Power lines and communication networks remain down in several provinces, complicating relief efforts.

As the storm moved northward toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, it weakened but continued to bring dangerous weather conditions to nearby islands. Relief operations have begun in affected regions, with the military, Red Cross, and international agencies coordinating food, water, and medical aid deliveries.

Regional leaders have called for urgent global attention to the growing impact of climate change, noting that hurricanes like Melissa are becoming more frequent and destructive. They stressed the need for stronger infrastructure and financial support to help small island nations recover from repeated natural disasters.

Hurricane Melissa has once again exposed the fragility of the Caribbean in the face of extreme weather. With homes destroyed, lives lost, and economies shattered, the road to recovery will be long and challenging  but communities across the region are already coming together to rebuild and heal.