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Hurricane Melissa's Caribbean Fury: Dozens Dead as Storm Targets Bahamas

Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, causing dozens of fatalities and isolating entire communities. The storm made history as the strongest hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica, leaving most of the country without power and infrastructure severely damaged. In Haiti, at least 25 people died when a river burst its banks, while Cuba faced massive isolation with 140,000 people cut off by rising waters. As the storm weakens to Category 2, emergency crews are mobilizing across the region while the Bahamas prepares for heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

Key Points: Hurricane Melissa Death Toll Rises as Storm Heads to Bahamas

  • Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as strongest storm in island's recorded history
  • Rising river levels isolated 140,000 people in Cuba after landfall
  • At least 25 confirmed deaths in Haiti's Petit-Goave from river flooding
  • US deploying rescue teams and supplies to affected Caribbean nations
  • Prime Minister Holness declared Jamaica a disaster area amid widespread damage
  • Storm weakened to Category 2 but threatens Bahamas with heavy rainfall
3 min read

Dozens dead as Hurricane Melissa batters Caribbean, moves towards Bahamas

Category 5 hurricane devastates Caribbean with dozens dead, widespread destruction in Jamaica and Haiti as Melissa weakens but threatens Bahamas with heavy flooding.

"We have not had alerts of any deaths so far. So, we cannot presume that there are deaths - Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's Minister for Local Government"

Washington, Oct 29

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, has caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean, leaving dozens dead and entire communities cut off as it moves towards the Bahamas.

The storm made landfall in Cuba early Wednesday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami.

Cuban authorities said the island suffered "significant damage", with rising river levels isolating around 140,000 people.

The storm has since moved off the island and into the Atlantic Ocean, where it is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to the southeast Bahamas.

Hurricane Melissa earlier struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane around 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the strongest storm in the island's recorded history.

The hurricane caused severe damage to infrastructure, downed power lines, and left most of the country without electricity.

Many areas remain inaccessible, and the full scale of destruction is still being assessed.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a disaster area as emergency crews began rescue and relief operations, particularly in St. Elizabeth Parish, which local officials said was "underwater".

The eye of the hurricane passed over the island's western parishes, sparing the capital Kingston from the worst of the impact.

Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's Minister for Local Government and Community Development, said on Wednesday that the government had not confirmed any official death toll.

"We have not had alerts of any deaths so far. So, we cannot presume that there are deaths," McKenzie told reporters.

Local authorities, however, have reported fatalities elsewhere in the region.

In Haiti, at least 25 people died in the town of Petit-Goave after a river flooded by Melissa burst its banks, the town's Mayor said.

Three people were killed in Jamaica during storm preparations, and one person died in the Dominican Republic.

The NHC described Melissa as the most powerful hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and one of the strongest ever to make landfall in the Atlantic basin.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on X that the US is "in close contact with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and The Bahamas" as the countries respond to the hurricane.

"We have rescue and response teams heading to affected areas along with critical lifesaving supplies," Rubio said.

On Wednesday, Melissa had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, with sustained winds of 105 metre per hour or 169 km per hour.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Climate change is making these storms more intense year after year. We need to take this seriously - it's not just a Caribbean problem but a global one. India should also strengthen its disaster management systems.
S
Sarah B
The death toll is already so high and they're still assessing the damage. Those poor people in Haiti with 25 deaths from the river flooding - absolutely tragic. Hope rescue teams reach everyone quickly.
A
Arjun K
While it's good that US is sending aid, I wish our Indian government would also offer assistance. We have experience dealing with cyclones and could send NDRF teams. This is when global solidarity matters most.
M
Michael C
The reporting seems a bit confusing - Jamaican government says no confirmed deaths but local authorities report fatalities. Hope they get accurate information soon to coordinate relief properly.
K
Kavya N
140,000 people isolated in Cuba! That's like an entire city cut off. Reminds me of the Kerala floods where people were stranded for days. Hope they have enough supplies to last until help arrives. 🤲

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