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Deadly Hurricane Melissa Leaves Caribbean in Ruins, Threatens Bermuda
31 Oct
Summary
- Hurricane Melissa's death toll reaches nearly 50 across the Caribbean
- Storm made 4 times more likely by human-caused climate change
- Widespread damage and flooding reported in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti
On October 31, 2025, the Caribbean region is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a storm that has claimed nearly 50 lives and left a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane, which has been described as one of the most powerful ever recorded, made landfall in Jamaica and Cuba earlier this week, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, property, and communications networks.
In Jamaica, the confirmed death toll has risen to 19, with the hardest-hit areas being the western parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth. The country's information minister has reported that the recovery efforts are ongoing, as access to the affected regions remains limited. Similarly, in Haiti, the civil defense agency has reported that the death toll has reached 30, with 20 people injured and another 20 missing. Over 1,000 homes have been flooded, and thousands of people have been forced to seek shelter.
The situation in Cuba is also dire, as the communist island nation battles its worst economic crisis in decades. The storm has left many communities inundated, with flooded and collapsed homes, downed power lines, and disrupted mobile communications. Authorities have reported that around 735,000 people were evacuated, primarily in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo.
According to a study by Imperial College London, Hurricane Melissa was made four times more likely due to human-caused climate change, underscoring the urgent need for action to address the growing threat of extreme weather events. As the storm continues to bear down on Bermuda, the government has urged residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the still-powerful system.
The United States has mobilized disaster assistance response teams and urban search and rescue personnel, who are currently on the ground in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Additional teams are also en route to Haiti to provide much-needed aid and support.
