Large-scale evacuations are ongoing in nations facing the destructive impact of “catastrophic” Hurricane Melissa, which continues to cause fatalities and devastation.
The hurricane has traversed Cuba today, diminishing to a Category 2 storm after hammering Jamaica as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, as per the US National Hurricane Center. Numerous Cuban residents have been relocated to shelters, with a hurricane warning issued for several provinces and regions, including the Bahamas.
Mayor Jean Bertrand Subrème of Petit-Goâve in Haiti reported 25 fatalities due to flooding caused by the overflowing La Digue river, resulting in collapsed homes and individuals trapped under debris.
Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 105mph, is moving north-northeast at 14mph, as confirmed by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The hurricane’s current position is northwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, and south of the central Bahamas.
Authorities have urged the Bahamas to expedite storm preparations as Melissa continues its northeast trajectory, posing a threat of severe winds and heavy rainfall to the Bahamas and Bermuda.
The National Hurricane Center cautioned that even regions on the periphery of the storm, like Turks and Caicos, could experience life-threatening storm surges.
For the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, the agency highlighted the anticipation of hurricane conditions, perilous storm surges, and heavy rain. Similarly, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are expected to face flash floods, landslides, and extensive damage, while Bermuda is warned of hurricanes and heavy rain.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with peak winds of 185 mph before moving towards Cuba. A significant number of individuals, approximately 735,000, are taking refuge in shelters in eastern Cuba, where the storm arrived as a Category 3.
The UK government is allocating £2.5 million in humanitarian aid to Jamaica for emergency supplies such as shelter materials, water filters, and blankets following Hurricane Melissa. The Royal Navy vessel HMS Trent is stationed in the Caribbean, and a specialized team from the Foreign Office is aiding British nationals in Miami.
An estimated 8,000 UK citizens are believed to be in Jamaica, as air traffic remains suspended. The Foreign Office expressed concerns over Melissa being potentially the most intense hurricane in Jamaica’s history, likely causing severe damage to towns and infrastructure, leaving a significant portion of the island without power.
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