Hurricane Melissa Kills At Least 30 Across Caribbean as Storm Tracks From Bahamas Toward Bermuda

Overview

• Bahamas authorities reported impacts from Melissa, with parts of the archipelago dropping hurricane alerts while the U.S. National Hurricane Center urged residents to remain sheltered due to ongoing hazards.
• Cuba’s state utility said only 37% of the national grid is operating after major plants shut down, as authorities reported roughly 735,000 evacuations in eastern provinces hit by flooding and wind damage.
• Jamaica suffered widespread destruction when Melissa made landfall, tearing off roofs, flooding roads and knocking out power in what meteorologists called the island’s most powerful landfall in about 90 years.
• Haitian officials reported heavy losses from floods and landslides, with most of the region’s confirmed fatalities there and dozens still missing.
• The storm peaked at Category 5 with winds near 300 km/h and is now a Category 3 system with sustained winds around 205 km/h as it moves toward Bermuda.