Hurricane Melissa killed 25 people in Haiti and almost 30 people throughout the Caribbean, leaving a path of destruction as one of the strongest and slowest storms in the history of the area. With gusts of up to 185 mph (298 kph), well beyond the Category 5 hurricane threshold, the storm made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, becoming the fiercest hurricane ever to make direct landfall there. Later, as it moved northeast into the Bahamas, it weakened to Category 1, prompting widespread preparations and evacuations. The hurricane’s effects were felt in several countries, with significant damage and fatalities in Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica.

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Widespread Destruction in Haiti and Jamaica

After days of unrelenting rain produced devastating flooding and landslides, especially in the coastal village of Petit-Goave, where a river burst its banks, Hurricane Melissa killed 25 in Haiti. Children made up the majority of the casualties, and at least 12 people are still unaccounted for. Nearly 12,000 people were displaced to emergency shelters while more than 1,000 homes were inundated.

• Severe flooding: Homes and infrastructure were destroyed as rivers overflowed in several provinces.
• Displacement crisis: The economic crises and gang violence that already plagued Haiti made things worse for almost 1.3 million displaced persons.
• Aid delays: People living in temporary camps reported that food shortages worsened their situation and that relief supplies arrived slowly.

Melissa’s gusts of 185 mph ripped into Jamaican cities and agricultural areas, ripping trees and flattening houses. It may take up to 10 years to reconstruct after the storm, which is believed to have caused $22 billion in damage. Approximately 77% of Jamaica lost power, with the agricultural center of St. Elizabeth suffering the most.

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Mass Evacuations and Mounting Climate Concerns

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, hit Cuba overnight, cutting off communications for about 140,000 people and isolating 241 villages. Authorities evacuated more than 735,000 people as part of a massive effort. President Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a warning about significant agricultural losses, which would be exacerbated by current food, medication, and power shortages, even though no deaths had been reported.

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Hurricane Melissa killed 25 in Haiti and strengthened abnormally quickly because of record-high sea temperatures in the Caribbean, according to meteorologists. Experts attribute this quick intensification to global warming-induced climate change. The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) urged rich countries to take more aggressive action, emphasizing that the U.N. “loss and damage” fund remains inadequate.

• Climate link: Hurricanes are becoming wetter, slower, and stronger due to rising ocean temperatures.
• Global appeal: Caribbean leaders reaffirmed demands for climate reparations and debt relief.
• Solidarity efforts: Nations from all around the world promised to provide financial support, rescue personnel, and food supplies.

The destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa is yet another sobering reminder of how susceptible island nations are to hurricanes that are getting stronger. As Haiti and its neighbors deal with the fallout, their suffering serves as a stark reminder of the profound injustices of the climate problem, which disproportionately affects those who contribute the least to it.

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