Caribbean international locations start clearance work after Hurricane Melissa | EUROtoday

As of: October 31, 2025 2:28 a.m

Isolated cities, uncared-for residents, monumental destruction: Jamaica, Cuba and different affected Caribbean international locations are fighting the implications of Hurricane Melissa. There is a primary official casualty report from Jamaica.

In Jamaica, rescue employees are attempting to clear greater than 130 roads blocked by Hurricane Melissa on foot and in some circumstances with machetes. “Right now it’s about getting food to people and helping those who may be injured,” mentioned Education and Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon. The state of affairs within the west of the nation is “shocking”. Even two days after the storm handed via, quite a few communities within the Caribbean nation are nonetheless minimize off from the surface world.

According to Dixon, there are not less than 19 deaths in Jamaica alone. Since one other 30 deaths had been reported from Haiti and one sufferer from the Dominican Republic, a complete of not less than 50 folks had been reported to have died within the Caribbean. However, it’s anticipated that the variety of deaths will proceed to rise.

In the coastal group of Black River, as much as 90 p.c of the roofs of homes had been destroyed, mentioned Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Black River is what you would describe as ground zero,” he mentioned. “People are still trying to understand the destruction.”

Missing folks in Haiti

The hurricane induced extreme flooding in Haiti. Several individuals are lacking there. The south of the nation is especially affected.

In Cuba, folks tried to clear roads with heavy gear. The navy rescued folks stranded in cut-off communities and susceptible to landslides. No deaths had been reported in Cuba. Civil protection introduced greater than 735,000 folks to security within the east of the nation, who’ve now been in a position to return dwelling.

One of the strongest hurricanes recorded

“Melissa” first hit Jamaica on Tuesday (native time) as a Category 5 hurricane. According to the US Hurricane Center (NHC), it was one of many strongest hurricanes ever to hit the Atlantic. It induced storm surges, damaging winds and heavy rains. The authorities declared the island a catastrophe space.

The storm then hit Cuba on the identical day with hurricane drive 3. “Melissa” then moved over the Bahamas on Wednesday with wind speeds of the bottom class 1.

According to the forecast, the hurricane, which has now been categorised as Category 2, was anticipated to go close to Bermuda on Thursday night (native time).