Hurricane Melissa caused significant devastation and claimed numerous lives in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti. The storm led to power outages, displacements, and destruction of infrastructure in affected areas.
In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish, Santa Cruz was hit by a landslide that blocked main roads, turning streets into muddy swamps. Residents struggled to salvage belongings amidst waterlogged homes, with a high school shelter losing part of its roof due to strong winds.
Haiti reported at least 25 casualties and 18 missing individuals, primarily in a southern coastal town where flooding caused house collapses. The mayor of Petit-Goave in southern Haiti appealed for government assistance in rescuing victims, expressing overwhelm at the situation.
Cuba witnessed collapsed houses, blocked roads, and damaged rooftops, especially in the southwest and northwest regions. Approximately 735,000 people sought refuge in shelters as the country grappled with the aftermath of the hurricane.
As Melissa weakened from a Category 3 to a Category 2 hurricane, it continued its path towards the central Bahamas. The storm, with sustained winds of 150 km/h, was forecasted to generate storm surges of up to two meters in the southeastern Bahamas and pass by Bermuda by late Thursday.
Canadians were warned against traveling to several affected regions, including Jamaica, parts of Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bermuda. The Canadian government advised avoiding non-essential travel to these areas and provided emergency contact information for assistance.
Rescue and response teams from the United States were being dispatched to aid in the recovery efforts in the Caribbean. The U.S. Secretary of State announced coordination with leaders in Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas for assistance. Additionally, the U.S. administration reinstated an economic embargo on Cuba in June, prohibiting tourism to the country.