Hurricane Melissa Leaves Haiti in Mourning as Caribbean Coast Battles Floods
Hurricane Melissa Leaves Haiti in Mourning as Caribbean Coast Battles Floods
Hurricane Melissa lashes the Caribbean, leaving dozens dead in Haiti's Petit-Goave as floodwaters rise and power outages spread; Jamaica and Cuba also suffer widespread damage.
Hurricane Melissa tore across the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm, leaving a painful wake in Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba. In Haiti’s coastal town of Petit-Goave, the La Digue river burst its banks, washing away homes and sweeping streets into raging floodwaters. Officials say at least 25 people died in the Petit-Goave area, with many more left homeless as rescue crews struggled to reach outlying neighborhoods.
Across the region, Jamaica faced heavy rains and widespread destruction, with thousands displaced as power lines and roads collapsed. In Cuba, outages and damaged infrastructure complicated relief efforts, and authorities warned residents to stay indoors as crews worked to restore critical services and evacuate vulnerable communities.
Relief agencies activated contingency plans, with search-and-rescue teams dispatched and shelters opened to house those forced from their homes. Governments urged residents to avoid floodwaters and to listen for official updates as the threat of landslides and after-storm flooding persisted. International aid groups pledged support and called for donations to speed up relief and rebuilding.
Meteorologists warned the Bahamas could be next in Melissa’s path, signaling that the storm’s effects could linger as it moves west. The coming days are likely to test regional emergency response plans and underscore the need for coordinated disaster assistance.
Back home in the hardest-hit areas, families waited anxiously for word on missing relatives and for power to return, underscoring the human cost beyond the property damage.
Cover image source: Photos Show Devastation Caused by Hurricane Melissa Across the Caribbean 🔗
