Ground Zero: Hurricane Melissa Leaves Catastrophic Impact in the Caribbean

Sat Dec 20 2025 23:22:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc across the Caribbean, resulting in dozens of fatalities, massive destruction of infrastructure, and displacing thousands.

Hurricane Melissa has devastated the Caribbean, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. With death tolls rapidly rising, reports indicate at least five fatalities in Jamaica and another 20 in Haiti due to severe flooding. The category five storm has left much of Jamaica without power and infrastructure in ruins. Leaders express grave concerns as recovery efforts begin across affected areas.

Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, decimating homes and infrastructure, flooding neighborhoods, and leaving dozens dead.

The impact in Jamaica was clearer on Wednesday after the island nation was hit squarely by the category five storm - one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the region. At least five people have been confirmed dead there.

At least another 20 died during flooding in Haiti as Melissa, now a category two storm, tore through the region.

In Jamaica, people remain stranded on roofs and without power. Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted the 'total devastation' across the island-nation.

He added that '80-90% of roofs were destroyed', along with hospitals, libraries, police stations, port houses, and other urban infrastructure.

King Charles, who is the head of state in Jamaica, said in a statement that he is 'deeply concerned' and 'profoundly saddened' at the damage caused by Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

'This most dreadful of record-breaking storms reminds us of the increasingly urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of Nature for the sake of all those whose lives and livelihoods may have been shattered by this heartbreaking disaster.'

From Jamaica, where the storm also caused mudslides, Melissa moved north to Cuba as a category three storm, bringing 115 mph winds and heavy rain, battering the southeast of the island.

A dangerous storm surge is expected in the Bahamas, with warnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands. As recovery efforts begin, formal requests for international assistance have started pouring in from affected nations.