Hurricane Melissa's Devastating Path: Cuba and Jamaica Brace for Impact

Hurricane Melissa has made a destructive landfall in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm early Wednesday, after unleashing havoc on Jamaica with some of the strongest winds recorded in the Atlantic, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

With hundreds of thousands evacuated, Cuban provinces remain under a hurricane warning. The storm could exacerbate Cuba's economic difficulties with expected flooding and landslides, while Jamaica reports significant damage and a pressing need for emergency relief.

Officials urge caution and promise support, but the storm's severe impact, including power outages and damages in the Caribbean, highlights the urgent need for a coordinated disaster response effort.