Hurricane Melissa: Unprecedented Destruction Looms Over Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as the most potent cyclone recorded on the island, bringing 185 mph winds and catastrophic damage to communities like St. Elizabeth Parish. With infrastructure in shambles and widespread power outages, officials fear casualties despite the absence of confirmed storm-related deaths.

As Melissa shifts its path towards Cuba, residents in Santiago de Cuba brace for impact, heeding evacuation warnings. Cuba has ordered half a million people to relocate, amid fears of landslides and flooding, especially in the highland areas. The Bahamas, too, have begun evacuations in anticipation.

While Melissa made history in Jamaica, described as a 'storm of the century,' concerns grow about climate-induced storm intensification. Caribbean leaders urge affluent nations to assist with aid and reparations, as Melissa's destructive potential continues to threaten livelihoods across the region.