At least 19 fatalities have been reported in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa, according to Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon, as search and rescue operations are underway and authorities work to deliver aid to severely affected areas. The hurricane has also resulted in at least 30 deaths in Haiti, where officials continue to assess the situation.
In Jamaica, Minister Dixon indicated that some communities appear to be isolated, and many areas have sustained significant destruction, particularly in the western regions. Currently, the majority of the island is without electricity, and residents are struggling to recover their belongings from floodwaters and mud. The lack of clean water has become a pressing issue, with some regions not having access for several days.
Aid shipments have started to arrive more quickly, particularly at the main airport in Kingston, which has returned to normal operations. However, many smaller regional airports remain only partially operational, making it challenging to reach areas in urgent need of assistance. As a result, aid organizations and military personnel are transporting supplies via road, although many routes are still blocked or impassable.
In Haiti, many casualties resulted from a river overflow in Petit-Goave, and a complete assessment is ongoing as some areas remain unreachable. Approximately 15,000 individuals are currently taking refuge in more than 120 shelters across the country.
Cuba has reported that 3 million people faced hazardous conditions during the hurricane, and around 735,000 people have been evacuated. While there have been no reported fatalities in Cuba, nearly 240 communities have been affected by flooding and landslides.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a category five storm on Tuesday, boasting winds up to 185 mph before impacting other regions in the Caribbean. In response, various governments, humanitarian organizations, and individuals have pledged support to affected nations. The US State Department is deploying a disaster response team to assist in recovery efforts, while the UK government has committed additional funds for humanitarian supplies.
Meanwhile, as Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti assess the damage, Bermuda has prepared for the hurricane’s approach, expecting it to downgrade to a category two storm. Government offices and schools in Bermuda will close until conditions improve.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clylqpyg8pjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss