Hurricane Melissa Kills Dozens, Devastates Eastern Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread destruction and power outages, particularly in the eastern provinces where over 80% of radio towers are out of service, severely limiting communication. The Cuban government evacuated approximately 735,000 people ahead of severe flooding, storm surges, and infrastructure damage, with reports of downed power lines, flooded streets, and blocked access in several municipalities. The storm also caused significant fatalities across the Caribbean, including at least 40 deaths in Haiti, several in Jamaica, and Cuba, where many families anxiously await news of their loved ones amid difficult communication conditions exacerbated by strained U.S.-Cuba relations. In Jamaica, thousands remain in shelters with much of the emergency infrastructure damaged, and power outages affecting over three-quarters of the island. The U.S. and U.K. have pledged aid to the region, and the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor Melissa as it moves through the Bahamas with sustained winds near 100 mph. Recovery efforts face challenges due to ongoing damage to telecommunications and power infrastructure, isolating communities in the hardest-hit areas.