Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, killing at least 50 people and displacing thousands as it moved out of the region. Jamaica bore the brunt of the storm’s fury, with power and water supplies crippled and towns left in ruins.
According to reports, over 60 percent of Jamaica remains without electricity, while nearly half of its water systems have been disrupted. The historic coastal town of Black River suffered the most severe impact, with 90 percent of buildings losing their roofs and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. Streets remain littered with debris, fallen trees, and downed power lines.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, confirmed 19 deaths so far, though officials fear the toll could rise as rescue operations continue. In Haiti, at least 31 people have died and 21 are missing, mostly in the southern areas hardest hit by the hurricane. In Cuba, despite large-scale flooding and the evacuation of more than 735,000 residents, no deaths have been reported so far.
Rivers across the region have overflowed, submerging roads and isolating communities. The Cauto River in eastern Cuba saw water levels rise dramatically, with rainfall totals reaching up to 380mm in some areas. Rescue teams used boats and military vehicles to reach stranded residents.
Experts at Imperial College London have linked Hurricane Melissa’s intensity to human-driven climate change, warning that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe as global temperatures rise.
To fund its recovery, Jamaica has activated its catastrophe bond an innovative financial tool developed with the World Bank in 2024 providing $150 million in insurance protection against hurricane damage. Authorities have also urged donors and aid organizations to contribute through official government channels to prevent scams and misuse of relief funds.
As the Caribbean begins the long process of rebuilding, the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa stands as another stark reminder of the growing threat posed by a warming planet and the urgent need for climate resilience and preparedness across vulnerable island nations.