A fierce swell of wind and rain tore through the northern Caribbean as Hurricane Melissa slammed into island after island this week. With sustained gusts up to 298 kph (185 mph), Melissa earned its place as the third-most intense—and slowest-moving—storm ever recorded in the region.
Jamaica bore the brunt of the impact when Melissa, the strongest hurricane ever to directly strike its shores with Category 5 forces, made landfall on Tuesday. Nearly 77% of the country lost power, and local officials estimate the economic hit could top $22 billion, with rebuilding efforts spanning years. Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth became a frontline shelter, where doctors and nurses treated patients by flashlight under crumbling rooftops.
In Haiti, days of torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding more than 1,000 homes near Petit-Goave and claiming at least 25 lives. Ten children are among the confirmed fatalities, and a dozen people remain missing as emergency shelters fill up. Rising gang conflict and makeshift camps have left residents especially vulnerable, and calls for faster aid deliveries are growing louder.
Across the Bahamas archipelago, authorities evacuated nearly 1,500 residents in one of the country’s largest rescue operations. Turks and Caicos also hunkered down, while Bermuda braced for hurricane conditions more than 1,400 km (895 miles) to the northeast.
Now downgraded to a Category 1 storm, Melissa continues to churn through the Bahamas, reminding global citizens of the mounting risks in a changing climate. Relief teams are mobilizing, but for many communities, the long road to recovery is just beginning.
For digital nomads and travelers, these events highlight the importance of sustainable development and on-the-ground support. From remote fundraising to virtual volunteer networks, a new generation is exploring how technology and solidarity can accelerate relief and reconstruction.
Reference(s):
Death toll mounts to nearly 30 as Hurricane Melissa batters Caribbean
cgtn.com
