Live Updates: Jamaica Warns Hurricane Melissa Will Bring Catastrophic Winds and Rain

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, classified as an “upper-end” Category 4 hurricane, marking it as one of Jamaica’s strongest storms ever recorded. The storm caused widespread flooding and destruction across the island, leading to significant damage to infrastructure and cutting internet access for most residents. Reports indicate that at least three bodies have been found in Jamaica, while approximately 20 people, including children, have died in Haiti. The death toll remains uncertain as many communities in Jamaica are still cut off from assistance, complicating rescue efforts and damage assessments. In preparation for Hurricane Melissa, Cuba evacuated about 750,000 people ahead of the storm's arrival. After impacting Jamaica, the hurricane subsequently affected Cuba, raising further concerns regarding safety and infrastructure in the region. The base commander at Guantánamo Bay expanded a previous evacuation order to include non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, indicating the seriousness of the situation as the storm approached. Authorities in both Jamaica and Cuba issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people as the storm approached. Jamaica’s tourism minister confirmed that all 25,000 tourists who rode out the storm on the island are accounted for and safe, suggesting that the tourism sector has not suffered casualties among visitors. However, the impact on local communities and infrastructure is still being evaluated. Thousands of residents in Jamaica are now homeless and struggling to access food and clean water, highlighting the critical situation in affected communities. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with a focus on reaching isolated communities and providing necessary aid. The situation remains critical as authorities continue to assess the full impact of Hurricane Melissa on the affected regions. Further updates are expected as rescue operations are conducted in the hardest-hit areas, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The storm is recognized as the most powerful hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean this year, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the region to severe weather events.