Kingston: Jamaica's information minister announced that the death toll from Hurricane Melissa has risen to 44, with at least 19 confirmed fatalities in Jamaica alone. Search and rescue operations are still underway as the storm has left a significant impact. The hurricane caused extensive damage by leaving hundreds of thousands without power, tearing off roofs, and scattering debris across the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the Jamaican Armed Forces have mobilized reserve forces to aid in relief and rescue efforts. Hurricane Melissa made landfall southwest of Jamaica on Tuesday, marking it as the most powerful Category 5 hurricane to hit the Caribbean nation's coast since 1988. AccuWeather forecasters noted that the hurricane's wind speeds were tied for the second-most intense on record for Atlantic hurricanes during landfall. They estimated the economic damage and losses in the western Caribbean to be between $48 billion and $52 billion.
In Haiti, although not directly hit, the storm's effects were felt with heavy rains causing destruction. Officials reported 25 deaths, primarily in Petit-Goave, after a river overflowed. The river also damaged part of a national highway to Jacmel, weakened by a previous hurricane. In Cuba, Melissa made landfall in the east, leading to the evacuation of approximately 735,000 people. Despite widespread damage to homes and crops, there have been no reported deaths.
As of 8:00 PM, Melissa remained a Category 1 storm, situated 409 kilometers southwest of Bermuda, with hurricane-like conditions expected to continue. Although the storm's center has shifted northwest, Bermudian authorities closed toll roads and suspended schools and ferries as a precaution. In the Bahamas, after being swept by the storm on Wednesday night, officials have lifted warnings but have not declared the area entirely safe. Decisions regarding the return of evacuees will be made by Saturday.