Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction Across Caribbean
At least 25 people are confirmed dead in Haiti due to teh devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa,wiht 18 others missing. Severe flooding, particularly along the southern coast, has caused widespread destruction and loss of life, including at least 10 children. The storm has also impacted Jamaica and Cuba, prompting mass evacuations and ongoing rescue efforts.
the Category 5 hurricane, now downgraded to a Category 1 as it moves northeast toward Bermuda, unleashed torrential rains and powerful winds across the Caribbean. Haiti appears to be the hardest hit, with reports of entire families lost and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged. Authorities are working to clear impassable roads and reach isolated communities, while residents face the threat of landslides.
A Haitian resident recounted to the Associated Press the loss of his four children – a one-month-old baby, and children aged 7, 8, and almost 4 - in the storm. In total, 80 homes were destroyed and another 160 damaged in the country.
While no deaths have been reported in Cuba, authorities proactively evacuated approximately 735,000 people ahead of the hurricane’s arrival. In Jamaica, the storm has passed, and recovery efforts are underway.
Melissa is currently tracking towards the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, and is expected to continue towards Bermuda. Rescue operations and damage assessments are ongoing in the affected areas, with a focus on providing aid to those displaced and vulnerable populations.
