Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon as a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 185 mph, marking the strongest impact ever recorded on the island. Jamaican authorities declared the country in a state of calamity due to widespread flooding and structural damage in several regions. The system, moving north-northeast at 14 mph, hit Cuba for the second time early Wednesday near Chivirico, in Santiago de Cuba province.
Over 735,000 people were evacuated in Cuba before the storm’s arrival, which now features winds of 121 mph and could bring up to 20 inches of rain in mountainous areas. In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed power outages affecting half a million residents and roads blocked by fallen trees. The U.S. National Hurricane Center monitors the system, expected to reach the Bahamas by Wednesday night.
- At least 10 deaths recorded in the Caribbean, including four in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and three in Panama.
- Flash flooding threatens lives in isolated Cuban communities.
- U.S. rescue teams prepare to assist the affected region.
Historical trajectory of Melissa
Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified in the Caribbean Sea, reaching Category 5 on Monday with an atmospheric pressure of 892 millibars, the third lowest ever measured in the Atlantic. It entered through Jamaica’s southwest coast near New Hope, causing damage to infrastructure such as shops and homes in Manchester.
Meteorologists note that the storm surpassed Hurricane Gilbert of 1988, the previous record holder in Jamaica, in wind speed.
Initial damage in Jamaica
Flooding affected low-lying neighborhoods in Kingston, with reports of vehicles damaged by fallen trees and roofs removed by gusts. The Jamaican government activated shelters for thousands of displaced people and distributed basic supplies in rural areas.
Widespread power outages complicate communication, with internet connectivity reduced to 30% of normal levels. Authorities estimate an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain will fall on the island this Wednesday, increasing the risk of landslides.
Major roads, such as the A2 in the south, remain closed due to debris and flooding. Maintenance teams work to restore traffic on secondary highways.
The preliminary economic impact includes losses in banana and coffee plantations, the nation’s main exports.
Impact in Santiago de Cuba
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described Wednesday morning as difficult, with extensive damage to homes and transmission lines. Rivers overflowed in the east of the island, isolating 241 communities housing over 140,000 people.
Strong winds knocked down poles in urban areas, while torrential rains caused rapid water level rises in rivers like the Baconao.
Mass evacuations and alerts
Cuban authorities coordinated the removal of families from vulnerable areas, prioritizing slopes prone to landslides. Over 700,000 evacuees were relocated to temporary shelters equipped with generators.
- Hurricane warning remains active for the southeastern Bahamas.
- Tropical storm expected for Turks and Caicos in the coming hours.
- Forecast of storm surge up to 13 feet on Cuban coasts.
The process included school closures and flight cancellations at regional airports.
International humanitarian response
The United States mobilized search and rescue teams to the Caribbean, focusing on Jamaica and Cuba. President Donald Trump stated that the country is monitoring the situation and ready to provide humanitarian assistance.
The British government announced a transfer of 2.5 million pounds to support Jamaica, including medical supplies and emergency engineering. The Red Cross estimates that 1.5 million people in the region may need help in the coming days.
Partnerships with local organizations aim to distribute potable water and food in isolated areas.
Forecasts for the next hours
Melissa is expected to weaken as it crosses Cuba’s rugged terrain but will maintain enough intensity to generate dangerous storm surges. The National Hurricane Center warns of catastrophic flooding in eastern valleys, with potential for more landslides.
The trajectory points to the open Atlantic after exiting Cuba’s north coast, with winds possibly regaining strength over warm waters.
Low-lying regions face the risk of water source contamination from river debris.
Immediate recovery measures
In Jamaica, an online portal was launched to collect donations and report emergencies, facilitating volunteer coordination. Engineering teams assess damaged bridges in the interior, prioritizing supply routes.
In Cuba, civil defense forces begin inspections in Santiago de Cuba as soon as conditions allow, focusing on electrical repairs.
Continuous satellite monitoring assists in forecasting new affected areas.