Hurricane Melissa unleashes fury, leaves Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba shattered in deadly Caribbean rampage

International News: In Haiti’s small coastal town of Petit-Goave, the night turned into a nightmare as the La Digue river burst its banks. Floodwaters rushed across the area, swallowing homes and streets within minutes. More than 25 people lost their lives, while dozens remained buried under collapsed houses. Mayor Jean Bertrand described scenes of chaos, saying help was too little and families were desperately searching for missing loved ones.

Why was aid so delayed?

Government support was nearly absent on the ground. Only one Civil Protection Agency official was reported in the region as people battled the disaster on their own. Makeshift boats and wooden planks became lifelines, but the raging waters kept sweeping them away. Villages lost all connection with each other, leaving trapped residents screaming for rescue while neighbors tried to pull them out with ropes.

How did Jamaica face the storm?

Melissa first slammed into Jamaica with terrifying winds of 185 miles per hour, ranking among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. Roofs ripped away, homes shattered, and more than 25,000 people were forced into crowded shelters. Jamaica’s Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon revealed that nearly 77 percent of the island plunged into darkness, with electricity lines destroyed and communication networks crippled.

What unfolded in Cuba?

After battering Jamaica, Melissa struck Cuba with equal ferocity. The southwest and northwest regions saw collapsed houses, blocked mountain roads, and rooftops torn off. Authorities confirmed nearly 735,000 people taking refuge in emergency shelters in eastern Cuba. In Santiago de Cuba, local resident Reinaldo Charon described the ordeal as “hell all night long,” with winds howling and structures collapsing around them.

How are people surviving now?

Families abandoned their homes and crowded into schools and community halls converted into temporary shelters. Mothers carried children through waist-deep water, while elderly people clung to floating planks. Food shortages grew critical, and hospitals began reporting a lack of medicines, turning the humanitarian crisis more severe. Relief groups warned of waterborne diseases spreading rapidly in flood-hit areas.

What lies ahead in danger?

Meteorologists have cautioned that Hurricane Melissa has not weakened significantly and may still affect the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The storm’s unpredictable path has raised fresh alarms across the Caribbean. Rescue teams race against time, but worsening conditions make access nearly impossible. Governments in neighboring islands brace for the storm’s impact as residents pray for mercy.

Can recovery truly begin soon?

Experts believe recovery will take months, if not years. Homes, schools, and entire power grids lie in ruins. With thousands displaced, the priority is food, clean water, and medical aid. International agencies are pledging support, but restoring normal life remains a distant dream. For survivors of Hurricane Melissa, every sunrise now begins with fear, uncertainty, and the daunting task of rebuilding shattered lives.