By Manisha Sahu, America News World
October 30, 2025
Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba — What we know so far
A monstrous storm named Hurricane Melissa has carved a path of destruction across the northern Caribbean — leaving Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba reeling and thousands displaced. With winds reaching up to 185 mph (295 km/h), Melissa stands as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record and now raises urgent questions about recovery, climate change and resilience.
A catastrophic landfall in Jamaica
On Tuesday, the storm made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane — the strongest ever recorded to strike the island directly. Sustained winds of 185 mph (298 km/h) and extremely low central pressure rendered many structures uninhabitable, especially in the southwest region.
Communities like Black River in St Elizabeth Parish were described by national leaders as being “ground zero” for damage, with as many as 90 % of roofs destroyed in the immediate area.
The scale of power outages has been massive — about 77 % of the island reported without electricity in the immediate aftermath. Over 25 000 people sought refuge in shelters across western Jamaica.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned his nation: “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5.”
Haiti battered by floods even without direct landfall
While Melissa did not make a direct landfall in Haiti, its impact was no less devastating. Torrential rainfall triggered rivers to burst their banks — notably the La Digue river in the coastal town of Petit‑Goâve, causing homes to collapse and killing at least 20 people there alone.
Nationwide, Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency reported at least 25 deaths, with dozens of people still missing and more than 11 600 displaced.
Residents in affected areas described scenes of utter devastation: demolished houses, submerged roads, and desperate pleas for rescue and relief. “I am overwhelmed by the situation,” said Justin Bazile, the mayor of Petit-Goâve. Conditions in Haiti are especially precarious because of the country’s existing challenges with poverty, infrastructure and governance.
Cuba braces and begins long road to recovery
After ravaging Jamaica, Melissa struck eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm. The island evacuated over 730 000 residents in advance of the storm surge and flooding.
While no official fatalities have yet been reported, damage is extensive: thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, power lines down, rural communities cut off, and critical crops like banana, cassava and coffee under threat.
Cuba’s military and civil defence teams are helping clear debris, restore basic services and open roads — but analysts warn full recovery will take months, if not longer, given the scale of the blow.
Why this storm is so severe
Meteorologists point to a number of factors that made Melissa exceptionally destructive. Its rapid intensification, slow forward motion and extremely warm sea‐surface temperatures created ideal conditions for one of the strongest landfalls in memory.
Regional climate activists say Melissa reflects an alarming trend: storms are becoming more intense and unpredictable due to global warming. “These sea temperatures are not natural,” said one Jamaican climate campaigner, referring to the unusually warm Caribbean waters.
The human toll and economic fallout
Across the region, the human cost is mounting: dozens confirmed dead, many more missing, displacement on a massive scale, homes destroyed, power and water lines down, and agriculture under heavy strain. For Jamaica alone, preliminary damage in the tens of billions of dollars has been reported.
Small island economies like this depend heavily on tourism, agriculture and stable infrastructure — all of which are severely shaken by a storm of this magnitude. Restoring normalcy will require major investment and international support.
What’s next — relief and rebuilding
Emergency efforts are underway:
–Relief flights and supply drops into Jamaica’s main airports.
–Evacuations and mobile medical teams in Haiti’s most vulnerable coastal and riverside towns.
–Rescuers and clearing crews in Cuba working to access isolated mountain‐road communities.
–Regional agencies calling for “loss and damage” funding and addressing climate resilience going forward.
However, challenges loom large: damaged communication networks, inaccessible roads, sheltering thousands of people, risk of disease from flooding, food shortages, and long‐term infrastructure repair needs.
A broader warning signal
Melissa is more than a single storm — it may be a warning of what the future holds for tropical regions. As ocean temperatures rise, storms like this could become more frequent and more destructive. The need for robust disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure and global cooperation has never been clearer.
summary
Hurricane Melissa has left swaths of the northern Caribbean shattered: Jamaica bears the brunt of a historic Category 5 landfall, Haiti reels from deadly floods and Cuba begins the long task of rebuilding. The storm is a powerful reminder of nature’s force — and the urgent need to adapt to a changing climate.
For readers of America News World, this is not just Caribbean news—it’s a global signal. The islands hit hardest may be far away, but the lessons and impacts stretch across borders.
As relief efforts continue, all eyes will turn to what happens next: How swiftly aid can reach, how effectively rebuilding is done, and how well the region can prepare for the next big storm.