Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Caribbean, devastated Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, causing widespread damage, fatalities, and economic losses. The storm, classified as a Category 5 hurricane, impacted the region with significant force, leaving communities struggling to recover and highlighting the impact of climate change on vulnerable areas. The Caribbean nations are now facing a humanitarian crisis, and demanding support from developed nations to aid recovery efforts.
Hurricane Melissa , one of the most powerful storms ever recorded to make landfall in the Caribbean , has begun to weaken after inflicting widespread devastation across Jamaica , isolating communities in Cuba , drenching Haiti , and tragically claiming the lives of at least 50 people. The storm, classified as a Category 5 hurricane at its peak intensity, marked the most intense storm to directly strike Jamaica in recorded history, and the first major hurricane to impact the island since 1988.
AccuWeather, a prominent US weather forecasting service, has estimated the financial impact of the storm to be between $48 billion and $52 billion (USD), equivalent to $73 billion to $80 billion (AUD), encompassing damage and economic losses throughout the western Caribbean region. The destructive power of Melissa left a trail of destruction, leaving countless families displaced, infrastructure crumbling, and essential services disrupted. Rescue and relief efforts are currently underway, with international aid pouring in to assist affected communities struggling to recover from the immediate aftermath of the devastating storm.\Melissa's fury unleashed itself upon southwestern Jamaica on a Tuesday, battering the region with winds exceeding the thresholds for the highest hurricane classification, a Category 5. Many areas already reeling from the previous year's Hurricane Beryl were further devastated. The Jamaican information minister confirmed a grim toll, with at least 19 fatalities reported as of Friday, and authorities indicating that more bodies were expected to be recovered. Power outages have left approximately 462,000 people without electricity, and emergency food distributions have been initiated to address the immediate needs of those affected. In neighboring Haiti, which endured days of torrential rain from the slow-moving storm but was not directly hit, the situation is dire. Authorities reported at least 31 deaths and 20 people missing. In the southern town of Petit-Goave, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded as a river breached its banks, claiming the lives of at least 23 individuals, including 10 children. The relentless rain caused widespread damage, destroying homes, damaging roads, and inundating farmland. The head of Haiti's transitional presidential council expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging the loss of life, the disappearance of individuals, and the extensive material damage, which includes the destruction of homes, flooded fields, livestock losses, and cut-off roads. Furthermore, there are serious concerns about the potential resurgence of cholera, a disease that re-emerged in Haiti in 2022 and spreads through contaminated water, adding another layer of complexity to the humanitarian crisis.\While Cuba, where Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, managed to avoid any reported fatalities as of Friday, the island nation suffered extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural crops. Hundreds of thousands of residents were evacuated from eastern Cuba and the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, as a precautionary measure. In Jamaica, the local government minister, Desmond McKenzie, provided an initial assessment, revealing that communications were knocked out in five of the 14 parishes. He described the situation in Falmouth, a northwestern port town, as particularly grim, highlighting the destruction of essential infrastructure, including the municipal building, the infirmary, the roads and works department, and the courthouse. Humanitarian aid flights began landing in Jamaica on Thursday, and the country's military mobilized reserves to support relief and rescue operations. Brian Bogart, the World Food Programme Caribbean director, conveyed the devastating impact after visiting Black River, near where Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, stating that the scene resembled an apocalyptic landscape. A resident of Black River, Pamella Foster, shared her experience of returning to her destroyed home, its roof, windows, and doors torn away, and the kitchen swept away by the storm. Despite her personal loss, she expressed a determination to endure, acknowledging the profound emotional toll. AccuWeather noted that Melissa was the third most intense hurricane observed in the Caribbean, compounded by its slow movement, which prolonged the storm's impact on the affected areas. Scientists point to the accelerating intensification and increased frequency of hurricanes as a consequence of warming ocean waters, driven by greenhouse gas emissions. In the face of these devastating impacts, many Caribbean leaders have appealed to wealthy, high-polluting nations to provide reparations in the form of aid or debt relief. As of 11 am local time on Friday, Melissa had transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone, with sustained winds of 137 kph, moving northeast towards Iceland and the Faroe Islands
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