Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa's Impact on the Bahamas and Bermuda

• 🌪️ Hurricane Melissa, a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, is currently moving between Long Island and Crooked Island in the Bahamas.
• 🌧️ The Bahamas are expected to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain and up to a 7ft storm surge.
• ⚠️ Bermuda is also expected to experience hurricane conditions tomorrow night as the storm moves north and east.

Widespread Destruction in Jamaica

• 🚨 Jamaica has been declared a disaster zone, with most areas cut off due to floodwaters hindering search and rescue efforts.
• ⚡ Power outages are widespread, and communication is severely impacted due to flooded roads, crumbled infrastructure, and wind damage to cell towers.
• 🌊 The storm dumped more water on Jamaica in a short period than typically falls in three months during the rainy season.
• 🏘️ Roofs have been torn off buildings and homes, with some residents seen waiting on rooftops for rescue, reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina.
• 🏥 Essential services like hospitals, schools, police, and fire stations have been affected.
• 🌾 The agricultural sector in parishes like St. Elizabeth and St. James, considered Jamaica's breadbasket, has been devastated.

Damage and Communication Issues in Cuba

• 🇨🇺 In Cuba, Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds, causing severe flooding and wind damage.
• 🔇 Communication remains very limited in Cuba following the storm.

Fatalities and Travel Disruptions in Haiti

• 💔 In Haiti, at least 20 people have died, including 10 children who were swept away by floodwaters.
• ✈️ Americans vacationing in Jamaica are stranded, with officials hoping to resume relief flights on Thursday, but the status of major airports and commercial flights remains uncertain.