KINGSTON, Jamaica (FN) — Hurricane Melissa has left nearly 50 people dead across the Caribbean, officials said Friday, as the powerful Category 5 storm battered coastal communities with torrential rains and winds exceeding 185 mph (297 km/h).
The storm, one of the strongest to strike the region in decades, made landfall earlier this week, triggering flash floods, landslides, and widespread destruction in Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
In Haiti, authorities confirmed at least 30 deaths, with 20 people still missing. The town of Petit-Goâve was among the hardest hit, where a river overflowed and swept away homes, killing 23 residents, including 10 children.
Jamaican officials reported 19 fatalities, with more than 15,000 people displaced and over 530,000 left without electricity. Western parishes bore the brunt of the storm, with entire neighborhoods submerged and roads rendered impassable.
One death was confirmed in the Dominican Republic, where emergency crews continue to assess damage in remote areas.
Government leaders across the region have declared states of emergency and pledged swift action. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a televised address, “We are mobilizing every available resource to ensure the safety and recovery of our citizens. This is a national tragedy, and we will rebuild together.”
Haitian President Ariel Henry called for international assistance, stating, “Our people are suffering. We need urgent support to restore basic services and shelter for thousands displaced.”
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Interior announced the deployment of additional rescue teams and medical personnel to affected provinces, emphasizing the need for “rapid and coordinated response.”
Public reaction has been emotional and widespread. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support, grief, and calls for action. Hashtags like #PrayForJamaica, #HaitiStrong, and #MelissaRelief trended globally as users shared images of the devastation and urged donations.
“This is heartbreaking. My family in Clarendon lost everything,” one Jamaican user posted on X. “We need help, not just sympathy.”
In Port-au-Prince, residents gathered outside damaged homes, demanding faster relief. “We’ve been forgotten before. Don’t let it happen again,” said one woman whose home was swept away in the floods.
International aid organizations have begun mobilizing relief efforts, though access to affected areas remains limited due to damaged infrastructure. The United Nations said it is coordinating with regional governments to deliver emergency supplies and medical assistance.
Hurricane Melissa has since weakened and moved northward past Bermuda, but forecasters warn of residual flooding and storm surges in coastal areas.
As cleanup and recovery operations begin, officials urge citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
