Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across the Caribbean
The full scale of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is becoming clear after the record-breaking storm tore through Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. Officials have confirmed at least 32 deaths across the affected regions.
Hurricane Melissa’s Path of Destruction
Although downgraded from a Category 5 to Category 1 storm, Melissa continued to gather speed as it swept across the Bahamas on Thursday. Experts now expect it to make landfall in Bermuda later this week.
In Jamaica and Haiti, entire neighborhoods have been destroyed. Roads remain blocked by fallen trees and debris, making rescue efforts difficult. Relief agencies are struggling to reach isolated areas.
Strongest Storm in Modern Caribbean History
Melissa has been called the strongest hurricane to ever strike the Caribbean in modern history. At its peak, it sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph) stronger than Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005 and killed nearly 1,400 people.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 165 km/h at 09:00 GMT on Thursday. Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall and storm surges could cause additional flooding in the Bahamas and Bermuda.
As a result, local governments have urged residents to move to higher ground and stock up on emergency supplies. Authorities are preparing for possible mass evacuations if the storm’s path shifts again.
Communities across the Caribbean are now counting the cost of Hurricane Melissa’s deadly rampage.
