Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica and Cuba, Intensifies Due to Warming Waters

Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Jamaica

• 🌀 Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm on record for the Caribbean island, caused widespread devastation in Jamaica.
• 🏚️ The historic storm demolished homes, knocked down numerous trees, and washed out roadways, leaving residents to assess the damage.
• 😥 Residents described the experience as terrible and violent, with many weeping due to the destruction.

Hurricane Melissa's Path Through Cuba

• ⚡ After impacting Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa roared into eastern Cuba, weakening to a Category 3 storm.
• 🌊 The storm made landfall near Santiago with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, causing significant flooding in rural areas.
• 📹 Footage showed torrents of water rushing through roads and people navigating flooded streets.

Broader Caribbean Impact and Climate Connection

• ⚠️ While reports of fatalities surfaced in Haiti, the full extent of casualties in Jamaica and Cuba was not immediately released.
• 📈 Meteorologists noted that Melissa ranked as the third most intense hurricane observed in the Caribbean.
• 🌡️ Scientists link the intensification and increased frequency of hurricanes to warming ocean waters caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
• 🏝️ The storm was expected to weaken further after crossing Cuba but remained a dangerous hurricane heading towards the Bahamas.