Rescue teams race against time as Hurricane Melissa leaves at least 49 dead across Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas, with fears the toll will rise.
Rescue and relief operations are in full swing across the Caribbean after Hurricane Melissa tore through the region this week, leaving a trail of destruction from Jamaica to Cuba and the Bahamas. Authorities say at least 49 people have been killed, but warn that the number could rise as communications are restored and search teams reach isolated areas.
Jamaica bore the brunt of the storm’s fury when Melissa roared ashore as a Category 5 hurricane on Wednesday October 29, 2025, packing estimated maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (298 kilometers per hour). The powerful storm flattened homes, uprooted trees, and ripped apart power lines across the island, plunging much of it into darkness.
The coastal town of Black River in Jamaica’s southwest has been described as one of the hardest hit. Entire neighborhoods were swallowed by floodwaters after a storm surge of more than 15 feet inundated the area, destroying roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure. “Complete and utter destruction,” CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam said, reporting from the scene.
Emergency shelters across Jamaica are filled to capacity, with thousands of residents displaced from their homes. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a national state of emergency and appealed for international aid, calling Melissa “one of the most catastrophic storms to ever strike our nation.”
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In Cuba, torrential rains triggered landslides in mountainous regions, while in the Bahamas, low-lying islands remain cut off due to widespread flooding and debris. Regional disaster agencies, supported by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), are coordinating relief efforts, focusing on food distribution, medical assistance, and restoring power.
Meteorologists say Melissa, now downgraded to a Category 2 storm, is moving northeast toward open waters after brushing past the Bahamas. However, forecasters warn that heavy rainfall and flash flooding could persist in some areas through the weekend.
The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross and World Food Program, have pledged emergency support. The U.S. Coast Guard has also deployed ships and aircraft to assist with rescue operations and supply delivery.
For many in the Caribbean, recovery from Melissa’s devastation will take months, if not years. With entire communities submerged and vital infrastructure shattered, the region faces the immense challenge of rebuilding lives, homes, and hope in the storm’s aftermath.
