Hurricane Melissa hits Cuba after devastating Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has caused flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages in Jamaica; meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated in Cuba

Hurricane Melissa hit eastern Cuba on Wednesday morning, after devastating Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.

More than 700,000 people were evacuated to shelters in Cuba, according to President Miguel Díaz-Canel, and forecasters said the Category 3 storm would cause catastrophic damage in Santiago de Cuba and nearby areas.

Earlier this morning, Melissa sustained top winds of 125 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami. At its peak on Tuesday, the wind reached speeds of 185 mph.

Families across several parts of the country have evacuated their homes as they brace for landslides and rains of up to 20 inches.

Certain communities have been forced to leave their homes in Cuba after the devastation in Jamaica. / Credit: AP

The hurricane could worsen Cuba’s severe economic crisis, which has already led to prolonged power blackouts, fuel shortages and food shortages.

“There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be a lot of damage,” Díaz-Canel said in a televised address, in which he assured that “no one is left behind and no resources are spared to protect the lives of the population.”

At the same time, he urged the population not to underestimate the power of Melissa, “the strongest ever to hit national territory”.

As Cuba prepares for the storm, officials in Jamaica are assessing the damage after the hurricane caused flooding, landslides and left more than half a million people without power.

A soldier helps a woman evacuate from Canizo, a community in Santiago de Cuba. / Credit: AP

Clean up of damages in Jamaica

Jamaican authorities said the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth is “underwater” and has suffered extensive damage, while other parishes, including St Thomas, Portland, and St Catherine, also borne the brunt of Melissa.

Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, said some communities in St Elizabeth are calling for help to evacuate dangerous areas.

He has instructed local authorities to provide transportation where possible and assured that emergency teams are already clearing roads and assisting affected communities.

People walk along a road during the passing of Hurricane Melissa in Rocky Point, Jamaica on Tuesday. / Credit: AP

McKenzie added that Jamaica’s infrastructure has been “severely compromised”.

“Jamaica’s gone through what I can call one of its worst periods,” he said.

Before the hurricane even made landfall, three people died in Jamaica as a result of worsening weather conditions.

Another three deaths were reported in Haiti, while one person was killed and another remains missing in the Dominican Republic.

Men remove a loose section of roof in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches on Tuesday. / Credit: AP

Ahead of its impact, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said its aircraft had recorded intensifying winds and a minimum central pressure of 892mb.

Only two Atlantic hurricanes have ever had lower pressure. This makes the storm more intense than Hurricane Katrina, which devastated Louisiana in 2005 and had a pressure low of 902mb.

The hurricane is forecast to turn north-east and hit the south-east Bahamas by Wednesday evening.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas, and a tropical storm warning was issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Thousands of tourists stranded

Over 25,000 tourists are believed to be stranded in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the Caribbean island.

As many as 8,000 British citizens are in the country, with people ordered to stay inside to avoid the world’s strongest storm of the year so far.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We understand how worrying developments in Jamaica are for British nationals and their families.

“Our travel advice includes information about hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Last Thursday, we updated our travel advice for Jamaica to include a warning about Tropical Storm Melissa and that it was expected to intensify over the coming days.

“The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, and that is why we are urging any British nationals in Jamaica to follow the guidance of the local authorities.”