After leaving a trail of devastation across the northern Caribbean, Hurricane Melissa has strengthened again and is now moving toward Bermuda, according to a Reuters report citing government sources from Jamaica and Haiti.
As of Thursday, at least 49 people have been confirmed dead — 19 in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti. Jamaica’s information minister said authorities are still carrying out search and rescue operations, as the storm has left millions without power, destroyed rooftops, and scattered debris across fields. The country’s military has deployed reserve forces to assist with relief efforts.
In Haiti, heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Melissa have killed 30 people, with 20 others still missing. The southern city of Petit-Goâve has been worst affected, as rivers overflowed into residential areas and a section of the national highway was washed away.
Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s southwestern coast Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane — the strongest ever to hit the island directly. Meteorologists confirmed that the storm’s wind speeds exceeded 250 km/h, making it the second most powerful Atlantic-origin hurricane ever recorded at landfall.
Preliminary estimates suggest damages across the Caribbean could reach $48 to $52 billion USD.
In eastern Cuba, Melissa hit as a Category 3 hurricane. Authorities had evacuated more than 735,000 people beforehand, preventing major casualties, though officials said the storm still caused widespread destruction.
By Thursday evening, Melissa had weakened to Category 1, located about 409 kilometers southwest of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 169 km/h. However, by 11 p.m., it regained strength as a Category 2 hurricane.
Forecasts indicate that Melissa will pass near Bermuda without making a direct landfall, but as a precaution, the island’s authorities have closed high-elevation roads, suspended ferry services, and canceled schools for Friday.
Earlier in the week, the storm struck the Bahamas. Although some warnings were lifted on Thursday, residents were urged to remain cautious. Officials said a decision on allowing evacuees to return home will be made on Saturday.