Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean; Aid Mobilized

Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, has slammed Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, knocking out power and communications, submerging towns, severely damaging hospitals and roofs, and prompting a disaster declaration in Jamaica while the death toll and full extent of damage remain uncertain. The storm weakened as it moved — dropping to Category 3 and then Category 2 over Cuba — but forecasters warned of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and continued threats to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Jamaican officials estimate roughly 400,000 people may be affected and have published an official relief website listing urgent needs — bottled water, purification tablets, food, hygiene and first-aid kits, shelter materials, medical equipment and heavy machinery — and warning of fraudulent fundraisers. The UK pledged £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding, prepositioned relief supplies in Antigua, and deployed rapid-response teams, technical experts, consular assistance and Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence assets with shelter kits, water filters and blankets to support relief and coordination. President Donald Trump said the United States would assist island nations on a humanitarian basis and was monitoring the situation while traveling abroad.