Background on Hurricane Melissa and Its Impact
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to make landfall in the Caribbean, began dissipating on Friday after causing widespread destruction across Jamaica, cutting off communities in Cuba, bringing heavy rains to Haiti, and resulting in at least 50 fatalities.
Melissa was the most powerful storm to directly hit Jamaica since 1988 and the first major huracán to do so in over three decades. AccuWeather estimated between $48 billion and $52 billion in damages and economic losses across the western Caribbean.
Impact on Jamaica
Melissa struck southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, exceeding the minimum wind speed required for the strongest huracán classification. The storm devastated areas already affected by Hurricane Beryl the previous year.
Jamaica’s Information Minister confirmed at least 19 deaths on Friday, with indications that more bodies might be recovered. Over 462,000 people remain without power, and emergency food distributions have commenced.
Impact on Haiti
Although Haiti wasn’t directly hit, it experienced days of heavy rainfall from Melissa’s slow-moving system. Authorities reported at least 31 deaths and 20 disappearances.
In the southern Haitian city of Petit-Goave, 23 people, including 10 children, died when a river overflowed. The rains also damaged roads, homes, and farmlands.
“This is a sad time for the country,” said the head of Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council. “Beyond the dead and missing, there are significant material damages: destroyed homes, flooded fields, lost livestock, and blocked roads.”
Authorities also warned of the risk of cholera, which resurfaced in Haiti in 2022 and spreads through contaminated water.
Impact on Cuba
In Cuba, where Melissa struck as a Category 3 huracán, there were no reported deaths by Friday, but extensive damage was reported to homes, roads, and crops.
Hundreds of thousands were evacuated from eastern Cuba and areas around Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city.
Melissa cut off communications in five of Jamaica’s 14 parishes, according to Desmond McKenzie, the local government minister, during an information briefing presenting an initial damage assessment.
“It’s not a pleasant read,” McKenzie said of the port city of Falmouth, located northwest in the country: “The municipal building is destroyed. The clinic: destroyed. The department of roads and works: destroyed. The courthouse: destroyed.”
Humanitarian Efforts and Future Concerns
Humanitarian aid flights began arriving in Jamaica on Thursday, while the country’s military called up reserves to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
“The on-the-ground situation is best described as apocalyptic,” said Brian Bogart, WFP’s Caribbean Director, after visiting Black River, near where Melissa made landfall in Jamaica.
“It seems like a bomb went off in that community, and people are still in shock.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hurricane Melissa? Hurricane Melissa was one of the strongest storms to make landfall in the Caribbean, causing significant destruction across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
- Why is Melissa significant? Melissa is notable for being the most powerful storm to directly hit Jamaica since 1988 and causing extensive damage and loss of life across the western Caribbean, with estimated economic losses between $48 billion and $52 billion.
- How did Melissa affect Jamaica? Melissa devastated southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 huracán, causing at least 19 deaths, leaving over 462,000 people without power, and resulting in significant material damages to homes, roads, and infrastructure.
- What were the consequences for Haiti? Although not directly hit, Haiti experienced heavy rainfall from Melissa, leading to at least 31 deaths and 20 disappearances. The storm also caused damage to roads, homes, and farmlands, raising concerns about the resurgence of cholera.
- How did Cuba fare during Melissa? Despite no reported deaths, Melissa caused extensive damage to homes, roads, and crops in Cuba. Hundreds of thousands were evacuated from affected areas, and communication was cut off in several parishes.
- What are the ongoing concerns? Humanitarian aid is being distributed, and rescue efforts are underway in Jamaica. Future concerns include the risk of cholera in Haiti and the long-term recovery process for all affected regions.
