Overview
- Now a Category 2 hurricane over the Atlantic, Melissa is sweeping the southeastern Bahamas and is forecast to pass near or west of Bermuda, where schools and the Causeway will close as a precaution.
- The storm struck eastern Cuba as a Category 3, prompting more than 735,000 evacuations and causing flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure including hospitals and power networks.
- Jamaica was declared a disaster zone after Category 5 landfall left widespread destruction, with about 77% of the island without power and more than 25,000 people in shelters.
- Haiti has recorded over 20 deaths—many in Petit-Goâve after the La Digue river overflowed—and officials warn casualty figures may rise as access improves.
- International assistance is mobilizing, with the United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom sending supplies, funding and search-and-rescue teams to affected areas.