Hurricane Melissa Devastates Cuba and Jamaica with Catastrophic Winds and Flooding

Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Cuba

• 🌀 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early Wednesday morning as a Category 3 storm.
• ⚠️ Residents in Santiago de Cuba finalized preparations under heavy rainfall and fierce winds.
• 🌊 The storm is bringing life-threatening weather conditions to Cuba throughout the day.
• 📈 A predicted storm surge of up to 12 feet and 10 to 20 inches of rain threaten landslides and catastrophic flash flooding.

Devastation in Jamaica

• 💥 Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, slammed Jamaica with 185 mph winds, torrential rain, and a dangerous storm surge.
• 🏠 The storm caused tremendous damage to schools, homes, hospitals, and hotels.
• 🚪 Visitors in Montego Bay documented doors being blown off hotel rooms due to the extreme wind force.
• 📉 Calmer waters were observed in Kingston Harbor, but daylight revealed the extent of the damage left behind.

Response and Recovery

• 🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the damage in Jamaica and expressed readiness to send aid.
• 🌾 The St. Elizabeth parish, known as the breadbasket of Jamaica, suffered a significant blow.
• ⏳ Recovery for the affected areas is expected to take a considerable amount of time.
• 📺 Continuous updates on the storm's impact are being provided on air and online.