Overview
- The National Hurricane Center declared Melissa post-tropical on Friday, ending a 10-day lifespan after passing west of Bermuda and heading into the North Atlantic.
- Jamaica reports 19 confirmed deaths with more expected, over 60% of customers without electricity and nearly half of water systems offline, and towns like Black River suffering near-total roof loss.
- Haiti counts at least 31 fatalities and more than 20 missing, with deadly river flooding in Petit-Goâve, extensive damage and authorities warning of cholera risk.
- International aid is mobilizing, including U.S. urban search-and-rescue teams USA-2 and USA-1, relief flights into Kingston, and medical evacuation helicopters slated to assist.
- Early assessments point to tens of billions in losses across the region—AccuWeather estimates $48–$52 billion—while scientists say unusually warm waters made such rapid intensification more likely and stronger, with one study estimating Melissa was four times more likely and about 10% stronger due to warming.