Tourists Are Accounted For After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Government Says

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread flooding and destruction across the island. According to the tourism minister, approximately 25,000 tourists who were on the island during the storm have been accounted for and are safe. The hurricane is noted as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, leading to significant damage to infrastructure and cutting internet access for most residents in Jamaica. In preparation for the storm, Cuba evacuated about 750,000 people ahead of its arrival. The storm subsequently impacted Cuba after lashing Jamaica, leading to further concerns about 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. The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has resulted in extensive damage assessments in Jamaica, with reports indicating that the storm caused significant challenges for the local population. The situation remains critical as recovery efforts begin, and authorities continue to monitor the impact of the hurricane on both Jamaica and Cuba.